Fugitive Guru Builds Nation, Attempts Land Grab

A self-proclaimed spiritual leader, Nithyananda, has been at the center of an increasingly bizarre international incident involving land claims in Bolivia. Fleeing India in 2019 amidst accusations of sexual assault and child abduction – allegations he denies – Nithyananda established the ‘United States of Kailasa,’ a self-declared nation intended as a haven for Hindus. What began as a seemingly outlandish claim gained surprising traction, with ‘Kailasa’ representatives attending UN meetings and even securing a ‘sister city’ agreement with Newark, New Jersey.

However, the group’s ambitions appear to have overreached. Bolivian authorities recently arrested 20 individuals linked to ‘Kailasa’ after they negotiated long-term leases – reportedly spanning 1,000 years – with indigenous communities for substantial tracts of Amazon rainforest. These agreements, which included rights to airspace and natural resource extraction, have been nullified, and the representatives have been deported to their countries of origin.

The incident highlights a disturbing pattern of exploitation. Pedro Guasico, a leader of the Baure indigenous group, revealed that ‘Kailasa’ representatives initially offered assistance with forest fires before proposing a 25-year lease promising around $200,000 annually. The group then presented a drastically longer, more comprehensive lease, which the Baure signed, believing the initial financial promises. “We made the mistake of listening to them,” Guasico stated, adding that the offered funds were never realized.

Nithyananda’s claims of sovereign immunity as head of state have clearly not extended to preventing legal repercussions in Bolivia. The entire episode raises serious questions about due diligence on the part of international bodies and municipalities that engaged with ‘Kailasa’ representatives. While freedom of religion and self-determination are fundamental principles, they cannot be used as cover for potentially fraudulent activities and the exploitation of vulnerable communities.

Nithyananda, who previously garnered a significant following in India before the 2010 sex scandal allegations, has consistently framed his exile as persecution for reviving Hindu traditions. His pronouncements, often characterized by convoluted language and shared widely on social media, further contribute to the perception of a carefully constructed narrative. The Bolivian incident, however, suggests a more pragmatic, and potentially illegal, pursuit of land and resources under the guise of religious and nationalistic fervor. It’s a cautionary tale about the need for rigorous vetting and accountability when dealing with self-proclaimed nations and their representatives, particularly when the welfare of indigenous populations is at stake.