KATHMANDU, Jan 10: Ram Bahadur Bamjan, the controversial self-proclaimed ascetic from Ratnapuri, Bara, Nepal, who gained widespread attention and media popularity in 2005 as a potential reincarnation of Gautam Buddha, now finds himself in the grip of law after being on the run for nearly five years. 

An arrest warrant was issued against Bamjan by the District Court, Sarlahi for the crime of sexual abuse on February 2, 2020. According to the investigation process, after the arrest warrant was issued, it was the job of the police to arrest him and take his statement, but that was not possible after he absconded. "Now the process of taking his statement will start," said an official. 

When police raided Bamjan’s ashram in Sindhuli on February 8, 2020, amid proliferating accusations of the murder of a disciple and the disappearance of three others by the self-proclaimed godman, they returned empty handed. However, on Tuesday, Nepal police not only arrested Bamjan aka ‘Buddha Boy’, over Rs 30 million in cash was recovered from his residence in Budhanilkantha, along with laptops, 15 mobile phones, 35 pen drives, and currencies from 16 countries.

The police had been searching for four years after Bamjan was accused of the disappearance of Sanchalal Waiba, Phul Maya Rumba, Karma Waiba and other followers from his ashrams in different districts and sexually assaulting girls inside the ashram. During that time, the CIB team reached Bamjan’s ashram in Sindhupalchowk and discovered a packet of salt in a pit while searching for the body of a person suspected to have been killed and buried.

Evolution of names

Over the years, his names have been a constant evolution. Initially known as 'Ram Lal Bamjan' in civil circles, he briefly adopted the monk name 'Palden Dorje.' Among the Tamang community, he was referred to as 'Tulku Rinpoche,' while the media dubbed him 'Buddha Boy,' and many Nepalis recognized him as 'Tapaswi' or Ascetic. In 2006, he declared his name as 'Om Namo Buddha Gyani,' and by 2011, he embraced a new identity as 'Dharma Sangha.' Claiming enlightenment in 2012, he became 'Maha Sambodhi,' leading to the title 'Maha Sambodhi Dharma Sangha.' Pronouncing himself as Maitreya, his name expanded to 'Maitriya Guru Maha Sambodhi Dharma Sangha,' though to unaffiliated Nepalis, he remained as 'Tapaswi Ram Bamjan' or variations thereof.

Controversies surrounding Bamjan

Bamjan's followers claim he undertakes extensive meditative sessions lasting months without consuming food or sleeping.

In 2010, an investigation was launched following allegations that Bamjan attacked 17 villagers, citing disturbance during his meditation. Villagers countered, stating that their intent was to search for vegetables to which Bamjan asserted to  have used only 'minor action' with his hands in self-defense when they purportedly attempted to manhandle him. Yet, the victims alleged that three hours of axl handle strikes on their heads and backs resulted in severe injuries to one victim. Talking to the police, Bamjan admitted to have thrashed the villagers. "Yes, I took a minor action against them because they tried to disturb me while I was meditating," he said.

In 2012, Nepal Police announced the rescue of a Slovak woman from Bamjan's followers. Differing reports emerged, with one suggesting voluntary release of post-media coverage of her alleged kidnapping, accusing her of witchcraft to disrupt Bamjan's meditation. The woman identified only as Marichi, 35, and another woman from Nepal had been kept inside a jungle in Bara district bordering India for allegedly practicing witchcraft to disrupt Bamjan’s meditation. Another version claimed her kidnapping from a monastery, revealing a broken arm upon release. Accusations against Bamjan expanded as his siblings accused him of holding them captive overnight, allegedly resulting in physical assaults on his brothers and sister. Additionally, Bamjan's followers assaulted five journalists and destroyed their cameras after they recorded one of his sermons.

In September 2018, Bamjan faced accusations of repeatedly raping an 18-year-old nun for nearly two years. During a press conference organized by women's rights groups, the nun accused Bamjan's wife of concealing the abuse to avoid repercussions on their religious community. Supporters of Bamjan, however, countered the accusations by suggesting the nun was involved in theft and had been expelled from the monastery.

In January 2019, an investigation commenced upon complaints of four devotees' disappearance from Bamjan's ashrams. Simultaneously, police raids on Bamjan's ashrams failed to locate him. Subsequently, in February 2020, a warrant for Bamjan's arrest was issued by the Sarlahi District Court. Though police raided another of his ashrams, Bamjan evaded capture, leading to the arrest of one of his disciples, Gyan Bahadur Bamjan.

As the controversy surrounding Ram Bahadur Bamjan's arrest intensified, former Minister of State Yashoda Kumari Lama who became Minister of State in the government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in 2074 BS, made a striking appearance at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) office. Her purpose? To stand by Bamjan and counter the charges, asserting that he had fallen victim to false publicity. 

Bamjan's apprehension by the CIB team in Budhanilkantha triggered a swift response from his devoted followers as they, led by the Bodhi Shrawan Dharma Sangh, reached the CIB office in large numbers. His followers were sent by the police to the open space of the Kanti Cultural Center near the CIB office.

The irony of Bamjan’s arrest is stark—how someone thought to embody enlightenment could fall from their pedestals mocking the beliefs of countless followers prompting a critical review of the boundary between dedication and disillusionment.

 
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