Self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda's fake country ‘United States of Kailasa’ has duped over 30 American cities into signing a “cultural partnership” to become a “sister city”, a Fox News report revealed on Thursday.
Newark in the state of New Jersey admitted it was conned into becoming a ‘sister city’ with the fake nation as per the report. However, Newark wasn’t the only city to do so.
The sister-city agreement between Newark and Kailasa was signed on January 12 this year and the signing ceremony took place at City Hall in Newark.
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Newark representatives believed Kailasa was a legitimate Hindu nation off the coast of Ecuador, Fox News host Jesse Watters said while reacting to the scam.
According to the website of the “United States of Kailasa”, over 30 American cities have signed the cultural partnership including Richmond, Virginia, Dayton, Ohio, Buena Park, and Florida, among others.
In the statement, Kailasa responded to the report and said, “Kailasa and its representatives have not deceived anyone nor are we fake”.
How did the scam take place?
The scam took place when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka invited representatives of Kailasa to Newark City Hall to sign a "cultural trade agreement.”
Newark city reportedly did not realise Kailasa was not a real nation until after an official ceremony had already taken place.
Once it was confirmed that Kailasa was not a real country, the Newark City Council rescinded the agreement. One council member called the oversight ‘unacceptable’ and said it "cannot happen any longer,” as per the report.
Kailasa is a self-proclaimed country founded by rape-accused Nithyananda, who purchased an island off the coast of Ecuador to claim it as a holy site for Hindus.
It is not recognized as a country by the United Nations or the international community.
Beyond his presence on social media, Nithayananda has been accused of several crimes in India. In 2010, he was booked for rape and sexual assault and he also faces charges of illegal confinement of at least three children who were allegedly used as ‘child labours’ to collect donations for the ashram.
Nithyananda fled India in 2019 and reportedly took refuge in Ecuador before founding his own country.
Newark in the state of New Jersey admitted it was conned into becoming a ‘sister city’ with the fake nation as per the report. However, Newark wasn’t the only city to do so.
The sister-city agreement between Newark and Kailasa was signed on January 12 this year and the signing ceremony took place at City Hall in Newark.
ALSO READ | Imran Khan is off to Islamabad for hearing in Toshakhana case
Newark representatives believed Kailasa was a legitimate Hindu nation off the coast of Ecuador, Fox News host Jesse Watters said while reacting to the scam.
A fake Indian guru scammed 30 American cities #FoxNews pic.twitter.com/Xhpc3XIzZO
— Jesse Watters Primetime (@jesseprimetime) March 16, 2023
According to the website of the “United States of Kailasa”, over 30 American cities have signed the cultural partnership including Richmond, Virginia, Dayton, Ohio, Buena Park, and Florida, among others.
Press Note: Kailasa Establishes Sister City Relationships for Humanitarian Services and Global Peace
Kailasa is the revival of the ancient enlightened Hindu civilizational nation.
Organizations representing Kailasa, have established sister city relationships with many cities… https://t.co/37lBA1KBno pic.twitter.com/gYitUBRWTK
— KAILASA's SPH Nithyananda (@SriNithyananda) March 17, 2023
In the statement, Kailasa responded to the report and said, “Kailasa and its representatives have not deceived anyone nor are we fake”.
How did the scam take place?
The scam took place when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka invited representatives of Kailasa to Newark City Hall to sign a "cultural trade agreement.”
ALSO READ |
Newark city reportedly did not realise Kailasa was not a real nation until after an official ceremony had already taken place.
Once it was confirmed that Kailasa was not a real country, the Newark City Council rescinded the agreement. One council member called the oversight ‘unacceptable’ and said it "cannot happen any longer,” as per the report.
Kailasa is a self-proclaimed country founded by rape-accused Nithyananda, who purchased an island off the coast of Ecuador to claim it as a holy site for Hindus.
It is not recognized as a country by the United Nations or the international community.
Beyond his presence on social media, Nithayananda has been accused of several crimes in India. In 2010, he was booked for rape and sexual assault and he also faces charges of illegal confinement of at least three children who were allegedly used as ‘child labours’ to collect donations for the ashram.
Nithyananda fled India in 2019 and reportedly took refuge in Ecuador before founding his own country.
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