Swami stops operation

Swami stops operation
By K. KASTURI DEWI

kasturidewi@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: A centre in Kuala Lumpur which promotes the teachings of Indian spiritual guru Swami Paramahamsa Nithyananda who is involved in a sex scandal has ceased operations until “the truth is revealed”.

The centre’s spokesman said it had been flooded with calls from followers since the Swami’s alleged involvement in the scandal broke out.

“We made the decision to stop operations for a while following advice from the Malaysia Hindu Sangam,” he said when contacted here yesterday.

Nithyananda landed in trouble following the telecast of video footage by a television channel in India showing him in a compromising position with a Tamil actress.

The spokesman said the ashram in Taman Desa Gombak was the only centre in the country to promote the teachings of Nithyananda. It was set up two years ago.

He said devotees, who learnt about healing the sick and tapping into their inner strength for peace of mind, provided services from their homes.

“We do not have the exact number of devotees in Malaysia or healing centres. I believe there are about 400 healers in the country,” he said.

Bank clerk N. Thirunavukkarasu, 45, said he has been Nithyananda’s follower for the past three years.

“I was shocked to see the footage. I do not believe that the Swami would have done some­thing like that.

“Ever since I became a follower of his teachings, I have experienced a lot of positive changes in my life,” he said, adding that he met Nithyananda during the latter’s visits to Malaysia in 2008 and 2009.

Another follower who only wished to be known as Kumar, in his 30s, said he was disappointed that Tamil dailies here only published one-sided reports against Nithyananda.

“One day they are full of praises for him and next they just put him down,” he said, adding that he believes the footage could have been doctored.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/9/nation/5820762&sec=nation