GBC Establishes Formal Inquiry to Investigate Lapses in Child Protection in Mayapur and Vrindavana

This GBC resolution has yet to be reviewed by the SABHA. However, the GBC felt this resolution is of such importance that at least the administrative processes outlined below should begin as soon as possible, and can be modified pending the review of the SABHA.

On December 28, 2022, in response to recent revelations of abuse connected to the ISKCON Mayapur school, during its weekly online meeting, the ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) resolved to establish a formal inquiry to “identify the lapses in the implementation of child protection measures at ISKCON Mayapur and Vrindavan schools.” The decision was supported unanimously by the GBC Members.

The inquiry will be performed by “Individuals with extensive school safeguarding and inspection experience…appointed at the discretion of the inquiry coordinator.” The coordinator will be Navin Krishna Das, of the UK-based Avanti schools. In addition, the resolution mandates that “The team members shall be independent of ISKCON management and have no conflict of interest.”