Wife of atheist guru seeks German embassy help for protection of her human rights

AGRA: Ramona Goswami, a German citizen and wife of Swami Balendu Goswami, who had unsuccessfully attempted to hold an atheist conference in Mathura on Oct 14, has sought the intervention of the Consulate for the protection of her “human rights”.
In a letter to the German embassy, Ramona has alleged harassment at the hands of local administration and police and urged them to ensure her safety in India.
In her letter, she has stated that both she and her daughter are German citizens of Indian origin.
She has stated that on October 14, her family had organized a private programme at their property, inviting “scientific-minded” people and rationalists and were expecting atheists from all across the country. “Unfortunately some locals opposed the program and held protests outside their house, despite the fact that they had taken requisite permissions for it,” she stated in her letter.
“When the guests had started arriving, a crowd attacked our meeting and police officials urged us to cancel the event, saying they would not be able to guarantee security of our guests,” she said. “Though we cancelled the meeting, the attacks continue. Local administration tore the advertising signs of our restaurant, which emboldened some people to pelt stones and damage our property,” she said. In her letter, she said that she has CCTV footage to prove that the crowd was led by Mahant Phool Dol Das, Mahant Naval Giri, Mridul Kant Shastri, Mohananand Lal Baba, Ramesh Poojari and Tarachand Goswami.
“Ever since that day, local administration and police officials have been harassing my family and threatening us to leave. My brother-in-law had filed a complaint with the police against the “rowdies”, but no action was taken against them,” she alleged.
She has further stated that on Oct 22 an officer of Foreign Registry Office (FRO), Mathura, came to their house to check their documents. Stating that these events had led her and her family to feel insecure, she has sort help from the embassy officials. “We have the right to our opinion and I believe I do not need to face threats by the FRO in my home. I have a right on protection by the Indian police when I am attacked in my own home,” she said, urging the Embassy officials to protect her human rights. Meanwhile, a few saints in Mathura have been sitting on a fast unto death, demanding the Balendu Goswami’s arrest.