Please support Sheffield's Panditji, Shri Ashwini Kumar Vasudeva

Update April 2021

Namaskar, Dear Fellow Supporters of Panditji.   

I'm sorry it's been a while since I last updated you, though I expect many of you may have already heard directly from Panditji or from others in the Action Group supporting him. Well, the main fact is that just before going to tribunal in late January, the Hindu Samaj Executive Committee (EC) offered to settle with Panditji, under a ‘non-disclosure’ condition, by paying compensation, and he accepted.

Before end Jan. 2021 Panditji left his temple accommodation, but continues to reside in Sheffield. He likes this city very much, and, in spite of his sad experience with a few EC members, he has settled well here. A popular figure in Yorkshire’s Hindu community, Panditji now works independently as a freelance priest, available for all kinds of Hindu religious activities and rituals, both private and communal, anywhere in the land. Like some Hindu priests, he is also well-versed in Hindu astrology. His charges remain very modest. As a voluntary seva, he continues to run his excellent Gita class, which became a virtual class from the start of the pandemic in 2020. His contact details are:  

Email:  ashwinikumar3@hotmail.com

Mobile No.:  07404 868871  

As his cause is now over, the Action Group formed to support him, also disbanded early this year. I wish to record my own appreciation of the moral courage and leadership shown by its Chair and Hindu Samaj President, Dr Vithal Patel, and the former Hindu Samaj Chair, Dr Ramesh Munjal. Many thanks also to Shivani Thakur for her unswerving loyalty and able advocacy. Other members such as Amit Bhadhuri and the Guptas made personal sacrifices that will not be forgotten.

But the Action Group were not the only ones to support Panditji. Many, such as Panditji’s Gita class and most of those who signed this petition, rallied to help him in various ways, including people who contributed anonymously. They make me proud of my community. Panditji is truly thankful to every single person who has supported him in any way through some very stressful months as he struggled for justice.

The petition has served its purpose and is therefore closed. But I felt that I should give you all this final update regarding Panditji. Unfortunately, his experience has reflected badly on our temple. May God bless all Hindu Samaj members plus visitors, and may all enjoy a welcoming and holy temple.

  Vasudeva Kutumbakum. Om shanti.  

An update on Panditji's situation at the end of August 2020

Dear Supporters of Panditji,

Panditji joins me in heartfelt thanks to all who have signed this petition. Thanks also to all who have added comments. They are helpful and show the high regard that so many of us have for a truly godly man.

If you are able to bring this petition to the attention of others, please do so, and encourage them to make their own contribution.

I regret to say that the situation is grave. The Executive Committee (EC) have repeatedly insisted (verbally and in writing) that they have terminated Panditji's contract at the end of June and he should vacate his accommodation and return to Spain. Panditji has pointed out that his contract does not end until next summer, and moreover he has the permission of the President and trustees of the Hindu Samaj to remain. Going back to Spain is of course very unsafe during this global pandemic. In August the EC wrote, threatening eviction proceedings and demanding the return of furlough money for July, which they claim was paid by mistake. They have not given him access to perform the daily ritual worship that is customary in a temple. During festivals like Janmashtami and Ganesh Puja, they have chosen to spend money on bringing in priests from other cities such as London, yet they claim to have no money to pay for Panditji's wages! I only hope that the considerable stress that they are inflicting on him does not adversely affect his long term health. Some of Panditji's supporters do from time to time take him meals and I am sure that this is much appreciated.

Panditji contacted ACAS, who met with both sides but failed to effect a reconciliation since the EC have refused to shift from their position. This means that if Panditji wants justice, he will have to take the EC to an employment tribunal. An Action Group member is looking into this, but legal costs are bound to be high. Panditji is unemployed now and, even when he had his part-time priest's job, his salary was quite small and he was sending some of it to support his family in Spain. So now is the time when his supporters need to rally round and share the costs. If any of you are able and willing to contribute to a 'Justice for Panditji' fund, please let me have your name and contact details. When the Action Group know what the costs are likely to be, we can then contact you for help.

Thank you again for your support for Panditji. I cannot but think that the small group of EC members, who are shamefully victimising him, do not really understand how wrong their actions are, and their karmic consequences.

Om shanti.

Dr Debjani Chatterjee MBE FRSL

debjanichatterjee@outlook.com

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