Surat: The Swaminarayan Sampradayik Rakshak Samiti staged a protest on Monday, demanding immediate action against Ghanshyam Prakashdasji Swami of Kandari Gurukul and other saints accused of misconduct. The committee submitted a petition to the District Collector, urging action against those allegedly engaging in shameful acts in the name of religion, despite the sect having lakhs of followers.

Ghanshyam Prakashdasji Swami has faced multiple allegations of misconduct involving homosexuality and has been embroiled in controversies several times. His Shrimad Satsangi Jivan Katha Parayan is scheduled to take place in Surat from April 2 to April 8. Banners for the event have reportedly been defaced with words like “Lampat Bavo” (immoral saint). Several videos purportedly exposing his misconduct have also gone viral. Followers of the Swaminarayan sect have expressed deep concern over the reported exploitation of young children by certain saints.

One of the followers, Hiral Sokhada, stated that saints are meant to guide people and teach moral values, but Ghanshyam Swami’s actions contradict religious principles. Comparing him to Asaram Bapu, who was imprisoned for similar crimes, Sokhada demanded strict action. “We will protest wherever he speaks and ensure his discourse does not continue. He should be expelled from the sect and punished,” she warned.

Previously, another Swaminarayan saint had filed a police complaint against Ghanshyam Prakashdasji Swami, accusing him of unnatural offenses. The complaint alleged that the accused had forced himself upon the victim 35 to 40 times at various locations, causing significant uproar within the community. DeshGujarat