Corruption and Chaos: A Letter Exposing the Heterodox Baha'i Crisis in Kerala

                                                            

   

  C O N F I D E N T I A L

 

To,

The Secretary

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India

New Delhi.                                                                                                                         9, September, 2013

Respected Bahai friend,

                            Subject:            Appointment of State Bahai Council

I have the honour to submit following few lines, for your kind consideration and necessary action regarding appointment of the State Bahai Council –in Kerala for the next administrative year 2013-2014.

As you know that since the scheme ‘Election and Appointment’ of Councils was started, the believers of Kerala had the confusion and doubt and expressed doubt (questioned )in various platforms “why there is election when council is being appointed by the National Assembly”? This was because the believers found that many suitable candidates were left out while inexperienced and incompetent believers were induced in the council whose name would have never appeared on the ballot papers.  As a result, we experienced that year after year the quality of administrative skill and quality of participation and performance of the Council become worst by which the overall growth programme of the Faith in Kerala, including core activities suffered a major set back.

This is because, while Appointment in the Council is done by the National Spiritual Assembly, the method and selection of candidates for appointing in the Council (of Kerala) is being conducted by the Higher Institutions –what I believe is the Counsellor and Auxiliary Board Members-who recommend the Names to the National Assembly. Here the roll of ABMs become irresistible and the appointment take place from the panel they submit to the National Assembly strongly recommended by the Counsellor.

I respectfully submit that, I have no intention to question the authority of any members of the higher Institutions, but I have the responsibility as a believer, to see that the growth of the Faith should not hamper in this area due to the adulterative temptation of some of the members of the Institutions. As the selection of candidates to appoint in the council becomes the absolute responsibility of the Auxiliary Board Members, who have lost their Sanctity and Credibility in Kerala because of their involvement in various scandals, creates lot of problems and misunderstanding amongst the believers. While the criterion for electing believers for appointing in the institutions are clearly given in the Message of our  beloved Universal House of Justice dated 25 March 2007, it is evidently noticed that the selection is done purely on the merit of personnel liking and of vengeance and never considered whether a candidate is experienced to perform in the capacity of a member of the State Bahai Council which is suppose to be the highest institution in the state, who are responsible largely for overseeing the execution of the global plan in the  region under their jurisdiction. I believe that, a person appointed in this capacity should have the understanding of Institute Process, Experience with core activities, and should be able to contribute to the learning at grass roots. Without giving any thought to it and ignoring the necessary qualities prescribed for a person elected to this office specified by the Guardian, the ABMs select people of their choice to establish their supremacy over Council and later show King-maker attitude and arrogance.

Hence it is humbly requested to review the System of appointing Council in Kerala and consider appointment based on only the merit of Vote they receive in the election.

I, take this opportunity to state that, mentioning about a particular person may not be appropriate, but here I take liberty to express my concern before the highest institution in the country; as such the situations in Kerala are further aggravated by the activities of one of the ‘superior’ ABM whose autocratic attitude have degenerated the Bahai activities in many clusters. He lead all other ABMs also in his own way to establish supremacy over them. He supported the wickedness of some of the ABMs. The State Institute Board and the State Bahai Council are now controlled by this ABM. The vantage is that he has his own people appointed to administrate in these institutions The believers in Kerala are wayward, because there is no proper enquiry or action is taken against these ABMs and causes irritation as there are no institutions to explain convincingly what is happening around them. I request our Noble National Spiritual Assembly to take appropriate steps to put a curb on his worthless and demoralizing activities in the State.

The Kerala Bahai community is facing serious challenges.  Many believers, who were once very active in the field, are keeping away from activities, or they are not utilized by Institutions.  Many families have almost withdrawn their allegiance to the Faith.  Believers have lost their trust and faith in both the Council and ABMs in Kerala. Most of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and CGCs are dead.  There is no sign of growth in any of the clusters.  The element of love, care, tolerance and accompaniment is missing from the side of those who are running the Institutions.   There is no ‘direct teaching’.   No community life at all.  The graph of growth and development has come down significantly since last few years.

I request the immediate intervention of higher Institutions to save this State which was flourishing like anything once upon a time.

With loving Bahai Greeting

In His service

(Name of sender removed for the sake of brevity)