This article is a rejoinder to the article published in Sun titled “Peace Proposal” http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/03-12/editorials8376.htm. This article stated: “In February 2009, the Sampradaya Sun published a previous Peace Proposal. This one, authored by Bangalore's self-appointed GBC members, was directed to Bhakti Caru Swami, Yasomatinandan das and Shankadhari das. It was accompanied by a more detailed backgrounder by Madhu Pandit das.” We wish to bring to the notice of the readers that the GBC members of ISKCON Bangalore are not self-appointed. The GBC members of ISKCON Bangalore group of temples were elected in 2008 by a rigorous process based on the Direction of Management document of Srila Prabhupada.
The GBC members of ISKCON Bangalore Group of temples have been elected in two separate elections conducted in 2008 and 2011.
In 2008 the elections were conducted in two stages. In the first stage, the full-time missionaries and senior congregation devotees from various temples of ISKCON Bangalore group (about 260 devotees), elected a twenty one member body, consisting of older devotees who were rendering responsible services equivalent of a Temple President in the various temples of ISKCON-Bangalore group. Later this twenty one member body elected a ten member GBC which was to oversee all the temples of ISKCON Bangalore Group for the next three year term.
This election had external observers to ensure a fair and free election is conducted. A report about this was carried in Sun http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/11-08/editorials3605.htm.
In October of 2011, after the three year period, a new governing council was elected for next three year term by the Temple Presidents Body. These elections were conducted in ISKCON farm located near Mysore and supervised by a retired Government bureaucrat. An article about
the same was published in Sun http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/news/10-11/news4032.htm.