Dear GBC Members and India Bureau Members & devotees worldwide,

Please accept our humble obeisances.  All glories to Srila Prabhupada

The recent decision taken by the GBC to suspend Lokanath Maharaj from initiating, travelling to North America, etc., has caused extreme mental distress to his many well-wishers/supporters and disciples worldwide.

We are of the opinion that Lokanath Maharaj does not deserve these insults. What we perceive is an unwarranted, disrespectful, and outright shameful  campaign  of character assassination being conducted by a few junior devotees via social media. 

Their accusations are ill intended and way overblown.

The GBC had concluded this case decades ago. How is it imperative that this case be reopened now, just because of a few disgruntled “social activists”?   

We, the supporters and well-wishers of Lokanath Maharaj hereby request you members of the GBC to consider the many positive contributions that Lokanath Maharaj has made to the mission of Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON for the past fifty years. 

As per Lord Krishna’s instruction in Bhagavad-Gita at 9.30:
"Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination."  

Srila Prabhupada wrote in his purport:
 “As far as possible, a devotee is very cautious so that he does not do anything that could disrupt his wholesome condition. He knows that perfection in his activities depends on his progressive realization of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Sometimes, however, it may be seen that a person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness commits some act which may be taken as most abominable socially or politically. But such a temporary falldown does not disqualify him. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that if a person falls down but is wholeheartedly engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within his heart, purifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogī fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental falldown from the ideal path.” 

Our humble request is that you very seriously consider the following outstanding achievements/devotional services rendered by Lokanath Maharaj to the ISKCON society: 

• A world renowned saint – recognized and respected by so many devotees/aspiring devotees worldwide 
• An official ISKCON Mahant for Kumbha Mela (permanent status)
• On February 4, 2020, Lokanath Maharaj received Lifetime Achievement Award from Maharashtra Rajya Marathi Patrakar Sangh for his exceptional work in cleaning of the Chandra Bhaga River at Pandharpur and building of Srila Prabhupad Ghat. 
• COVID-19 support: during his present extended stay at Pandharpur, (the holy tirth where Vishvarupa, the elder brother of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu disappeared, in Maharashtra)  he is reaching out to encourage and have implement of the following activities: 
  Prayers and worship, prasad distribution, grocery distribution, assistance with hospital beds/ambulances, providing Oxygen cylinders, providing counseling, doctor’s support, accessibility to medication, and financial support, etc.
• The following are the temples and projects that Lokanath Swami oversees, that have donated for his Covid-19 Relief Project:
  Iskcon Aravade: Rs. 1 Lakh
  Iskcon Chamorshi: Rs. 1Lakh
  Iskcon Pandharpur: Rs. 1 Lakh
  Iskcon Kaundinyapur: Rs. 1Lakh
  Iskcon Yavatmal: Rs. 50,000
  Iskcon All India Padayatra: Rs. 50,000
  Iskcon Maharashtra Padayatra: Rs. 50,000
  Iskcon Andhra Pradesh Padayatra: Rs 50,000 

• Daily Zoom Japa conference which is attended by worldwide devotees. Attended at almost 1000 locations and 3000 devotees/friends/well-wishers join the call to chant and hear Krishna katha; not to mention how many join on YouTube live, and Facebook Live. 
• Pioneer of organizing Padyatra worldwide (He has fulfilled the task given to him directly by his Spiritual Master, ISKCON Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Prabhupada). He himself has undertaken all India Padyatra five times. 
• Pioneer of organizing Vrajmandal and Navadwip Mandal Parikrama for more than thirty years.  This is attended by devotees from all over the world.  During these yatras, fortunate people from different parts of the world come and unite together in Krishna consciousness. Through these parikramas, all devotees are united in spirit, staying harmoniously together under one roof; one kitchen, one family. 
• ISKCON Minister of World Holy Name Week (North America did very well under his guidance, and where majority of ISKCON centers participated and performed activities such as morning japa with congregation, Bhagavatam classes, harinam, book distribution, etc.)
• Inspiration for the “Fortunate People App” campaign where upcoming devotees have recorded their chants.  To date about one million chants have been recorded. 
• Kirtan King of ISKCON.
• Writer of many spiritual books, just to mention a few; Vrajamandal Darshan, Kumbh Mela, Bombay is my Office, Uccharanam, etc..  
  These are some of the recognitions and proud moments for the ISKCON community worldwide.  It shows that Lokanath Maharaj is fully situated in Krishna conscious activities and is following the orders of his beloved Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada.

Within the ISKCON worldwide he is well recognized and wholeheartedly respected all along. 

We request the GBC leaders considering the above discussion to support Lokanath Maharaj in his ISKCON activities. He should not be removed from his position as it will cause great disturbance and disappointment amongst many devotees within the ISKCON community, in many ways. 

By removing Lokanath Swami from his position, and revoking him from giving initiation will cause great disturbance, distress and disappointment to thousands of his disciples (over five thousand five hundred plus, and nearly two thousand aspiring for initiation), well-wishers, and supporters who come from all walks of life, i.e., doctors, political leaders, judges, lawyers, etc.,  and who generously make large monetary donations to ISKCON, mostly in Maharashtra, but at the ISKCON temple at Noida (New Delhi), and around the world..

Thank you for your kind consideration regarding our humble plea to revoke all strictures imposed on Lokanath Maharaj by you, the GBC, recently.

In your service,

Disciples/well-wishers/supporters