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Abhidevananda: Difference between revisions
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During his time as head of AMPS in Australasia (1973-1979), Abhidevananda was a leading figure in the global campaign for Sarkar's release from prison. As such, his name cropped up in several court cases, along with numerous unsubstantiated allegations against him. | During his time as head of AMPS in Australasia (1973-1979), Abhidevananda was a leading figure in the global campaign for Sarkar's release from prison. As such, his name cropped up in several court cases, along with numerous unsubstantiated allegations against him. | ||
Abhidevananda is a [[:wikipedia:Naturalization|naturalized]] citizen of Australia. In mid-1978, the Australian government briefly withdrew Abhidevananda's passport. However, within a few weeks, after sustained protests by members of AMPS in Australia, the Foreign Affairs minister, Andrew Peacock invited Abhidevananda to Canberra, where an accommodation was struck. The Australian Government, however, was less than forthright in their implementation of the deal, first seeking Abhidevananda's arrest in Nepal and then in Germany. In both cases, Abhidevananda was quickly released from custody. (In Germany, it was almost instantaneous. However, in Nepal, it took three days, because the Government of India had threatened that they would consider it an [[:wikipedia:Casus_belli| | Abhidevananda is a [[:wikipedia:Naturalization|naturalized]] citizen of Australia. In mid-1978, the Australian government briefly withdrew Abhidevananda's passport. However, within a few weeks, after sustained protests by members of AMPS in Australia, the Foreign Affairs minister, Andrew Peacock, invited Abhidevananda to Canberra, where an accommodation was struck. The Australian Government, however, was less than forthright in their implementation of the deal, first seeking Abhidevananda's arrest in Nepal and then in Germany. In both cases, Abhidevananda was quickly released from custody. (In Germany, it was almost instantaneous. However, in Nepal, it took three days, because the Government of India had threatened that they would consider it an [[:wikipedia:Casus_belli|act of war]] if Abhidevananda were to enter India through Nepal.) | ||
A bit over a year later, when it again seemed that Australia was reneging on the deal, delaying the issuance of a replacement passport (with a normal duration of five years, rather than the one year on his expired passport), Abhidevananda sought political asylum in Sweden. After his application was accepted by the Swedish Government, the Australian Government issued Abhidevananda the required passport, and the matter was resolved. This history, in particular the two known and verifiable cases when the Australian Government sought the arrest of Abhidevananda while abroad, was reported to the [[:wikipedia:mbudsmen_in_Australia#Commonwealth_ombudsmen|Commonwealth Ombudsman in Australia]], but no action was taken on the complaint by that office. | A bit over a year later, when it again seemed that Australia was reneging on the deal, delaying the issuance of a replacement passport (with a normal duration of five years, rather than the one year on his expired passport), Abhidevananda sought political asylum in Sweden. After his application was accepted by the Swedish Government, the Australian Government issued Abhidevananda the required passport, and the matter was resolved. This history, in particular the two known and verifiable cases when the Australian Government sought the arrest of Abhidevananda while abroad, was reported to the [[:wikipedia:mbudsmen_in_Australia#Commonwealth_ombudsmen|Commonwealth Ombudsman in Australia]], but no action was taken on the complaint by that office. | ||