Nithyananda's 'United States of Kailasa' clarifies speech at UN event
When an all-women delegation of fugitive rape-accused godman Nithyananda's "United States of Kailasa (USK)" attended a United Nations (UN) meeting on February 24, it raised numerous eyebrows. However, Kailasa representative Vijayapriya Nithyananda drew particular attention at the UN event for claiming that the controversial godman is being "persecuted by anti-Hindu elements" in India. The fictional nation has now issued a clarification regarding the speech.
Why does this story matter?
A massive controversy erupted after Vijayapriya, a "permanent ambassador of the USK," claimed during a conference put together by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR) that Nithyananda is being persecuted and even banned from his birth country. No one knows where Nithyananda's Kailasa exactly is, but reports claim that the fugitive godman bought an island off Ecuador in South America.
My comments were 'misinterpreted, willfully manipulated, and distorted': Vijayapriya
After her comments at the UN event in Geneva went viral on social media, Vijayapriya released a clarification on Thursday, saying that India is regarded highly by the so-called "United States of Kailasa." In a video on Twitter, Vijayapriya said her statement was "misinterpreted, willfully manipulated, and distorted by certain anti-Hindu sections of the media."
Requesting Indian government to take swift, decisive action: Vijayapriya
"I would like to clarify that I stated that the SPH Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam is persecuted in his birthplace by certain anti-Hindu elements," she said in her clarification statement. Furthermore, she added, "We request the Indian government to take swift and decisive action against the anti-Hindu elements who persistently incite violence against the SPH and KAILASA."
Concern solely about anti-Hindu elements: Vijayapriya
"Our concern is solely directed towards those anti-Hindu elements," she remarked. "It is imperative that the Indian government employs effective measures to put an end to their systematic and strategic activities and safeguard the well-being and security of all concerned," Vijayapriya further said in a series of posts on Twitter sent from Nithyananda's official handle.
Video of Vijayapriya's clarification
Here's how a UN official reacted to Vijayapriya's comments
In response to Vijayapriya's comments at the CESCR event, a UN official told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that they would ignore the remarks made by the fictional country representatives while also calling the representatives' comments "irrelevant" and "tangential" to the topics under discussion at the conference. The presence of USK representatives at the UN event stunned India and the rest of the world.
Cases against Nithyananda
Nithyananda fled India in 2019 and is a primary accused in different cases filed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rape, torture, illegal confinement of children, and kidnapping. Meanwhile, French authorities are also reportedly investigating the fugitive rape-accused godman for fraud amounting to $400,000.
All you need to know about CESCR
The CESCR consists of 18 independent members who meet twice a year and are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the UN treaty called the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. During its biannual conferences, the panel generally devotes one day to general discussions of a specific right or a particular facet of the covenant.
