A controversial spiritual movement embroiled in legal and ethical scandals.
Adhyatmik Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya (AIVV), also known as the “Advance Party,” is a breakaway faction from the globally recognized Brahma Kumaris, a new religious movement founded by Lekhraj Kripalani in 1936. This sect was established by Virender Dev Dixit, a former follower of the Brahma Kumaris, who later claimed to be the embodiment of Lekhraj Kripalani’s spirit, thus positioning himself as a spiritual leader with a direct connection to the divine teachings originally dispensed by the Brahma Kumaris.
Origins and Beliefs
The AIVV diverged from the mainstream Brahma Kumaris following Dixit’s claims that he was the medium for their deity and founder, which the Brahma Kumaris officially denied. This dispute led to Dixit’s expulsion from the Brahma Kumaris community, prompting him to establish the AIVV with the aim of representing what he considered the true front flank of the movement. Dixit’s teachings attracted a group of disenchanted Brahma Kumaris followers, leading to the formation of the “Advance Party” by 1976. The organization is based in Kampil, Uttar Pradesh, and has been involved in various activities that have attracted scrutiny and criticism.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
The AIVV and Dixit have been the subject of controversy, particularly concerning allegations of illegal confinement and human trafficking. In December 2017, the Delhi High Court ordered a raid on one of Dixit’s ashrams in Rohini, following allegations of the confinement of women and minors in cramped, barricaded cells. The raid, led by the head of the Delhi Commission of Women, Swati Maliwal, exposed the shocking conditions within the ashram, leading to accusations against Dixit of running a human trafficking racket. This prompted a subsequent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the organization’s activities. Dixit has remained a contentious figure, previously arrested and jailed for six months in 1998, with the Income Tax department also raiding his ashram in Kampil.
Response from the Brahma Kumaris
The Brahma Kumaris organization has distanced itself from Dixit and the AIVV, releasing an official statement clarifying that they are not responsible for the acts, conduct, or any illegal activities of Virender Dev Dixit and his organization. They have also stated that any claims made by members of Dixit’s organization to be part of the Brahma Kumaris or calling themselves Brahma Kumaris are without their permission and not endorsed by them.
image via Times Now News
