Swami Nityananda: Tension Continues at Bidadi Ashram

Swami Nityananda is again in news for the assault on a Kannada news channel reporter by his disciples at Bidadi ashram on Thursday. The godman had called for a press meet on Thursday to clear the air about allegations levelled against him by one of his former disciples, Aarathi Rao.

During the meet, reporter of a Kannada news channel questioned about summons issued by a US Court against Nityananda and sought his reaction. First Swami denied about receiving any such summons, but when reporter showed copies of the summons, he got flared up and asked his disciples to throw the reporter and his lawyer friend out of the meet. Some of the assembled journalists opposed the move and were abused by the disciples. The reporters later walked out. The TV reporter later filed a complaint against Nithyananda and four of his followers alleging of physical assault and threat to his life, police said.

Based on the complaints and counter complaints, the Bidadi police registered two first information reports (FIRs) on Thursday - one against Nithyananda and others, and another against the reporter. Tension prevailed at the Nithyananda ashram for the second day on Friday when activists of some Kannada organisations and ashram devotees clashed for over three hours. The police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the warring groups. The Bidadi police arrested 20 activists of Kannada organisations. Ten devotees have also been taken into custody and their role in the clash and Thursday's unruly incidents is being probed.