Politics
AMAZON, ASIA, BAURE, BOLIVIA, CHINA, CONSERVATION, CUBA, DEBER, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EUROPE, GUASICO, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, INDIA, KAILASA, LUIS ARCE, MEXICO, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, NEW DELHI, NEW YORK TIMES, NITHYANANDA, NORTH AMERICA, PEDRO GUASICO, SOUTH AMERICA, SWEDEN, THE NEW YORK TIMES, TOURISM, UNITED STATES
Omar El-Sharif
Nithyananda’s Kailasa Allegedly Seizes Indigenous Land in Bolivia
Nithyananda’s followers were deported from Bolivia after attempting to seize indigenous lands through dubious 1,000-year leases. The Bolivian government arrested approximately 20 individuals for land trafficking following an investigation by El Deber. Initial agreements were discovered to have been manipulated, radically altering terms and extending leases without proper consent from indigenous leaders. Nithyananda, wanted in India on criminal charges, continues to operate globally, exploiting vulnerable communities.
An investigation conducted by the Bolivian newspaper El Deber revealed that members of Nithyananda’s fictional nation, Kailasa, were involved in an alleged land grab from indigenous communities in Bolivia. These individuals were deported after being accused of planning to seize significant portions of land within the Amazon rainforest. Recent statements from Bolivian authorities indicated that around 20 Kailasa members had been arrested on charges of land trafficking after negotiating questionable 1,000-year leases with indigenous leaders.
The dealings came to light following an extensive inquiry, which uncovered that Kailasa members had entered Bolivia on tourist visas. Reports stated that they had managed to secure a photograph with Bolivian President Luis Arce. According to the New York Times, the land agreements were declared invalid by authorities, leading to the deportation of these individuals to their home countries, including India, the United States, Sweden, and China. Bolivia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented that the nation does not recognize the so-called United States of Kailasa.
Details surrounding the land lease negotiations suggest that Kailasa emissaries initially approached various indigenous groups in Bolivia to assist with forest fire management. Pedro Guasico, a leader of the Baure community, indicated that discussions of leasing land began after a positive initial contact. The indigenous group was led to believe they would enter into a 25-year agreement worth approximately $200,000 annually. However, the contract presented by Kailasa members was modified to extend for 1,000 years, incorporating terms for air space usage and natural resource extraction, which alarmingly altered the original intent of the agreement.
Self-styled godman Nithyananda is currently sought in India for serious charges, including the kidnapping of children to exploit them for donations. Since the cancellation of his passport in 2019, he has evaded authorities. In 2023, his proclaimed “United States of Kailasa” reportedly established a “cultural partnership” with over 30 American cities. Additionally, a Paraguayan official faced replacement after compromising himself by signing a memorandum of understanding with Kailasa representatives, further demonstrating the organization’s pattern of manipulation and deceit in the region.
The investigation into Nithyananda’s Kailasa members reveals a troubling narrative of deception and exploitation of indigenous communities in Bolivia. The illegal land deals, motivated by financial incentives, underscore the vulnerability of these groups in the face of such manipulative practices. Nithyananda’s continued evasion of authorities and his expansionist strategies through purported partnerships highlight the urgent need for greater oversight and protection of indigenous rights in Bolivia and similar contexts.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
Post Comment