November 2012, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu
Jyothika Swami encountered a life-threatening attack
While going about her business around mid afternoon I heard strange, loud noises from the street outside. When I stepped to find out what was going on, I was shocked to see 7 – 10 strange, middle-ages males who were filled with anger and hate and destroying the signboard for the a
adheenam pulled down and ripped into pieces. They were stamping on the picture of Swamiji’s face with their shoes.
On seeing me step out, they started throwing stones from where they were standing. I was shocked and felt threatened and turned around to run back inside to find shelter. They were shouting profanities at me, even calling me a prostitue and questioning my relationship with Paramahamsa Nithyananda, my Guru, to whom I look up as Divine.
Three of them jumped the gate and surrounded me. I tried to take a picture of them as I did not who these people were or what they wanted from us. They snatched the phone away from me. One of them pulled at my blouse and pulled me closer to him. I could smell his body odour. I screamed for help.
My fellow sanyasi, Sri Nithya Shivananda Maharaj came running outside. One of the rowdies started hitting him with a large wooden stick and Shivananda Maharaj went limp and collapsed on to the ground. He sreamed loudly as he was in agonizing pain.
At this point, the two men present there looked me straight in the eye and threatened me. They said if you are here in Erode tomorrow, you will die. Saying this, they left.
After they left, I calmed myself down and called the neighbours to come and help to take Shivananda Maharaj to the hospital . He was admitted and spent six days in hospital to recover from the physical and emotional trauma inflicted on him.
On investigation we found out that one Senguttuvel, a local mafia, who had some political connections as well had sent these rowdies to attack us with the intention that we will be fearful and leave the aadheenam. There intention was to grab and take over our land. This land which is very sacred and of immense historical importance for the Nithyananda mission.
After recovering from this episode, we called a press conference and shared our experiences with the local community.
We continue to face unexpected attacks and live in constant threat.