Theos-Talk Archives (July 2009 Message tt00531)

In a statement put out several weeks ago on a quaint website, Betty Bland,
National President of Theosophical Society in America stated:

+++For example, the international presidential contest in 1980, when Radha
Burnier won over Rukmini Devi, was also fraught with differences of
opinion.+++

No one has heard of any complaints regarding the 1980 election, either from
Rukmini or her supporters inside TS or outside TS (there are many outside TS
due to her long time involvement in the revival of Indian Dance and her
activities for Animal Welfare in India).

So this was a great surprise to me and many members around the world because
we have never heard of this even in the gossip grape vine.  Elected General
Secretaries of National Sections hold important and prestigious positions in
TS. Normally members highly regard and trust them. So anything they say or
put in writing is expected to be truthful and backed up with verifiable
facts.

Having made the statement, is it unreasonable for dues paying members to
expect details behind the statement. I wrote to Betty on June 3 inquiring
about it. To this day, there is no response.

When a theosophical leader heading the second largest TS section, makes such
statements, keeping silent only affects the opinion members have in their
leader and in turn reflects on TS. Since the motto of TS is There is no
religion higher than Truth, it also negatively affects the TS.

I hope we will hear from Betty soon. Continued silence cannot help her or
TSA.

MKR

visit theosophy.net


On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 6:31 PM, jasonsriram <jasonsriram@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>
> MK
>
> Maybe it is just a case of "see it happened before". However, I agree with
> your assessment that there was no case of claims of either electioneering or
> false or misleading statements from either party as I recall in 1980. In
> fact I was in Adyar in 1980 and have no recollection of rancour or ongoing
> spatting as is occurring now.
>
> In 1976 she (Rukmini) was nominated to be President of India, a post she
> declined. I spoke with her in 1981 about it and she stated she declined
> because she had "no interest in political life". So I really doubt that it
> was anything other that an unwanted result from a post she felt she was
> qualified for.
>
> If Betty can disclose more on the source of her information I would be very
> interested to know more on this.
>
> Jason
>
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>, MKR
> <mkr777@...> wrote:
> >
> > Six weeks ago, Betty Bland, President (National Secretary) of TS in
> America,
> > in a cyberspace write-up stated:
> > .
> > +++
> > Although no one is contesting the outcome of the 2008 presidential
> election,
> > the problem remains that the machinations of the international elections
> are
> > unsound. For example, the international presidential contest in 1980,
> when
> > Radha Burnier won over Rukmini Devi, was also fraught with differences of
> > opinion.
> > +++
> > .
> > The comments coming from the National Head of TS in America, is
> surprising
> > and need elaboration so that members can clearly understand the
> statement.
> > .
> > Dictionary defines machinations as:
> > .
> > ** a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish
> some
> > usually evil end
> > .
> > When anyone holding a high position in a spiritual organization such as
> TS
> > makes such statements, I think members are owed an explanation backing up
> > the statement.
> > .
> > The second comment about the 1980 election, is even more interesting. I
> have
> > never seen any allegation from Rukmini Devi or her supporters inside TS
> or
> > outside TS about anything questionable about the 1980 election.
> > RukminiDevi, whose husband George
> > Arundale was President succeeding Annie Besant, is very widely known in
> > India and around the world due to her long active involvement in TS and
> her
> > other outside activities. If there was any problem whatsoever with the
> 1980
> > election, we would have heard them loud and clear soon after the
> election. I
> > have not heard of any allegation or complaint. I do not know what
> > information Betty Bland is privy to that ordinary members around the
> world
> > are ignorant of. When such public statements are made, it is not
> > unreasonable for members ask for substantiation.
> > .
> > Several weeks ago, I wrote an open letter to Betty requesting
> clarification.
> > We have not heard anything so far.
> > .
> > The above situation does not help anyone. Already, level of trust many
> > members have in the TS leaders is very low. This was the result of the
> > election campaign and post election ultra secret attempt by general
> council
> > members to disenfranchise members world-wide and seize the power to
> appoint
> > the president.
> > .
> > I hope soon we will get some response substantiating the above
> statements.
> > Due to the nature of the statements, by keeping silent, the questions
> > surrounding the statements, are not going to go away.
> > .
> > MKR
> > .
> > Visit theosophy.net
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>  
>


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