Indian news channels flashed scenes of Swami Paramahamsa Nityananda's intimate moments with two South Indian actresses. Whereas double standards and farcical values of leadership are associated with all prominent and public personalities, it becomes shocking when spiritual or religious leaders are involved. It is not the first instance of a GodMan being involved in a scandal. The shocking part of the entire scandal was the warmth and the goodwill that this particular GodMan enjoyed with people all over the world.
Many public figures have an alternate contradictory self of greed, lust and anger as opposed to peace and public service. Public figures must be given their share of privacy. But acts of indiscretion by GodMen should not throw flak on a spiritual institution. There are so many people who live in the world for whom such religious institutions serve as a path to spiritual rejuvenation. Demoralizing scandals cause dissent on institutions which must serve the public.
Leadership has both its positives and negatives. The positives are that so many people get influenced by statements of leaders and public figures be it sports men, religious leaders and others. The negatives are the double standards and the farcical value systems that these leaders follow.
Whereas one must commend the extent of public service that this particular GodMen has done and in general by many religious institutions, the leaders or the change makers must be allowed to live a personal life. But such a personal life should not be scandalous and involve affairs over whiskey bottles etc., but must be one with respect to our Institution of marriage as well.
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