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EDITORIAL January 28, 2000 VNN5353 Related VNN Stories Undying Rtvikism In Alachua BY BHAKTA DASA EDITORIAL, Jan 28 (VNN) — Undying Rtvikism in Alachua: (New Millennium Policy?) Rtvik allowed to give SB Class When IRG moved its headquarters from Alachua to NYC, it seemed that the rtvik movement in Alachua would soon expire. Only a few local rtviks remained, and the temple managers in Alachua were ostensibly consolidated in (at least nominal) compliance with the anti-rtvik GBC resolutions. Although most granddisciples expected from the directing board a much greater exhibition of loyalty to those GBC resolutions, apparently pressure from the sector of rtvik/rtvik-sympathetic Prabhupada disciples was simply too formidable for the board to ignore. Thus it conveniently tread the safe middle ground, simultaneously avoiding condemnation as either mindless robots of a fanatical GBC, or renegade rtvik henchmen. Even though two of the most well known diehard rtviks and alumni of the former local IRG confidently deepened their own roots within the New Raman Reti sands, as long-time residents thereof--and with nary an indication that either's tenure could/would ever be effectively challenged or threatened--still, granddisciples gradually cooled in complacency when the directing board officially resolved that now, in observance of the 1999 GBC resolutions, rtviks would no longer be allowed to give either morning or Sunday feast lectures within the temple. Ironically, the most notorious diehard rtvik of the Alachua community happens to be the husband of the reigning "temple president." (We do not presume to know his mind, but it's all too likely that he has been long realizing a very convenient, gaping loophole in this fact.) Thus it is no surprise that despite his being such an outspoken GBC-delinquent, no change in his inexplicably comfortable niche within Srila Prabhupada's Alachua-ISKCON house has yet to be observed(although many freely admit their distaste over this ignoble, usurpful situation.) The other diehard rtvik resident of temple property, being an unprotected, middle-aged woman,seems to have heeded fair warnings that she must indeed lower her profile--especially with regard to her home programs, well known to be essentially rtvik propagandizing meetings. (The temple atmosphere had waxed peaceful throughout the summer and autumn, with no major controversies old or new abrew.) Then one morning in December, the scheduled speaker on Srimad-Bhagavatam for the day was to be the above-mentioned most notorious, diehard rtvik of the Alachua community. But a partial representation of the managing board, swayed by one Premananda Gaura's promise to stage a formidable protest, expeditiously advised Dravinaksa Dasa not to give class after all. And while this decision of the board's was no doubt interpreted by many to be appropriately self-corrective, it would soon enough be followed by yet another, self-contradictory decision: Thus, on the morning of January 14th, the dyed-in-the-wool rtvik-adherent Dravinaksa Dasa enjoyed a fresh opportunity to openly defy the GBC--this time with full approval of temple management--by giving Srimad-Bhagavatam class to the usual assemblage of Vaisnavas in the temple of Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai. We now wonder what simply not so wonderful, inauspicious ramifications will stem from this precedent. Yours in Srila Prabhupada's service, Bhakta Dasa Related VNN Stories  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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