Hugging Mother vs Srini Pattathanam<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

In 2002, Srini Pattathanam, the General Secretary of Bharatiya Yuktivadi Sangham (the Kerala State affiliate of the Rationalist Association of India, a full member of IHEU), and Editor of the Malayalam language rationalist monthly Yukthirajyam, published a 170 page book in Malayalam on the Kerala godwoman Mata Amritanandamayi, popularly known as the ‘Hugging Mother’.

 

Mata Amritanandamayi – Divya Kadhakalum Yatharthiavum (Mata Amritanandamayi: Sacred Stories and Realities, Mass Publications, 2nd Edn) is a pioneering effort which, apart from contending that the godwoman’s claims to miracles are bogus, records that there have been many suspicious deaths in and around her ashram which need police investigation. The research contains elaborate references to court records, newspaper reports, and quotations from well-known literary figures, including statements from the Mata’s close relatives, as well as an interview with Mata Amritanandamayi herself.

 

After a previous failed attempt (when IHEU’s worldwide campaign led to backtracking by the government), the Kerala State Government is renewing its attempts to harass Srini Pattathanam, instead of investigating into the affairs of the Mata which he exposed. In January 2004 the state government, headed by Chief Minister A.K. Antony, an ardent devotee of the godwoman, ordered the prosecution of the author, the publisher, and the printer of the book on the specious grounds that the book is promoting hatred and affecting religious harmony.

 

IHEU is calling on all its affiliates and associates to write protest letters to Kerala Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Antony at fax + 91 471 2333489 or email , and the Kerala State Governor at fax + 91 471 2720266.