Who is Nithyananda, self-styled godman who built a fake Hindu nation ‘Kailasa’ in US, now attemps to take over land in…
Self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda, who fled India in 2019 amid serious allegations including child abduction and sexual abuse, has been living in exile ever since. Over the years, he made bold and bizarre claims about founding a new Hindu nation called the “United States of Kailasa”, which he describes as the world’s first independent country for Hindus. In a surprising turn of events, people claiming to represent this so-called nation have even managed to attend a United Nations event in 2023, where they were seen posing for photos alongside global leaders.
But now, new reports say something far more serious. The group’s representatives have allegedly been involved in what’s being described as “land trafficking” in Bolivia. They reportedly struck shady deals with Indigenous groups, offering 1,000-year land leases, something that’s now caught the attention of authorities and sparked public concern. According to the New York Times, at least 20 people linked to Kailasa were arrested last week over land-grabbing allegations.
The agreements were nullified and the representatives of the fake country were deported to the real nations they belonged to, including India, the US and China. “Bolivia does not maintain diplomatic relations with the alleged nation ‘United States of Kailasa,'” Bolivia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the New York Times.
How Kailasa members managed to grab lands in Bolivia
According to a report by The New York Times, members of the self-proclaimed nation Kailasa entered Bolivia on tourist visas and approached Indigenous communities during a time of forest fires, offering help and support.
Pedro Guasico, a leader from the Baure community, shared that initial talks with Kailasa representatives led to an agreement — a 25-year land lease with a promise of USD 200,000 annually. However, when Kailasa members returned, the revised contract shockingly stated a 1,000-year lease, along with rights to extract natural resources.
The lease’s extended term was downplayed in the paperwork, while the $200,000 figure remained prominent which led the Baure chief to sign it. Later, Guasico admitted, “We made the mistake of trusting them. They promised us money to protect our land, but it was a complete lie.”
The entire land deal sparked outrage after El Deber, a Bolivian newspaper, uncovered that Kailasa’s representatives, from a country that doesn’t officially exist, had been signing extensive land leases under false pretenses with Indigenous communities.
Who and where is Nithyananda
Nithyananda, whose real name is Arunachalam Rajasekaran, hails from Tamil Nadu and has long been a controversial figure. In 2013, he was given the title of ‘Mahamandaleshwar’ by the Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara—an honor typically reserved for senior Hindu spiritual leaders. Among his followers, he’s often seen as a divine incarnation.
He rose to fame in the early 2000s after setting up his first ashram near Bengaluru. From there, he rapidly expanded his spiritual empire, establishing centres not just across India but also in countries abroad.
Nithyananda became well-known for making outlandish claims. He often linked himself to ancient religious traditions and royal bloodlines, and even boasted supernatural powers. He said he could help blind people see using a “third eye,” that he could delay sunrise by 40 minutes, and promised wealthy followers that, under his guidance, they could avoid being born into poverty in their next life.
His public image took a major hit in 2010 when a video surfaced allegedly showing him in a compromising situation with an actress. The scandal made national headlines. He was arrested and charged with rape and later faced another separate case on similar grounds.
As legal troubles mounted and more women came forward with serious accusations, Nithyananda insisted that the charges were part of a conspiracy to target him and seize his properties. He labelled the entire situation as an attack against Hinduism.
After fleeing India in 2019, Nithyananda vanished from public view. Since then, he has claimed to have founded a new country for Hindus called the “United States of Kailasa.” While this so-called nation isn’t recognized by any government, his followers continue to promote it globally.
Rumors about his death began swirling recently, particularly after his nephew, Sundereshwar, reportedly claimed he had passed away. However, on April 1, his team released a statement dismissing the reports. According to the announcement, Nithyananda is “alive, safe, and active,” as reported by The News Minute.
What is ‘United States of Kailasa’?
Representatives of the self-declared nation “Kailasa,” founded by controversial godman Nithyananda, describe it as the world’s first independent nation for Hindus. As reported by News18, the initiative is said to be led by members of the Adi Shaivite Hindu minority and claims to offer a “safe haven” for Hindus around the globe, regardless of their background, gender, caste, sect, or ethnicity.
According to Kailasa’s official website, the so-called country represents a spiritual homeland for the estimated 100 million Adi Shaivite Hindus and the broader community of two billion practising Hindus worldwide. The primary languages used are English, Tamil, and Sanskrit, and the nation is rooted in the principles of Sanatana Hindu Dharma.
They claim to have their own passports, a “cosmic constitution,” and even a currency made from sacred gold, supposedly backed by a self-declared “reserve bank.”
Kailasa presents itself as a mission to revive an “authentic” Hindu way of life that it claims was lost due to centuries of oppression. Its vision includes restoring traditional temple-centered living, providing universal free healthcare and education, promoting vegetarianism, upholding gender equality, and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
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