The self-proclaimed "United States of Kailasa," led by an Indian fugitive, tried to secure long-term leases in Bolivia but was thwarted by local authorities, leading to arrests and deportations of its members.
The Illusion of Kailasa: A Land Grab Attempt Thwarted in Bolivia
The Illusion of Kailasa: A Land Grab Attempt Thwarted in Bolivia
A fugitive guru's pseudo-sovereign nation faced legal action in Bolivia over false land negotiations with Indigenous groups.
The self-proclaimed emissaries of "Kailasa," a fictitious nation intended for Hindus, have encountered the stark realities of international law in Bolivia. This controversial organization, led by the fugitive Swami Nithyananda, has claimed to offer a sovereign existence, complete with its own currency and constitution.
Recently, Bolivian officials took action against representatives of Kailasa, apprehending 20 individuals tied to the group. These members were accused of attempting to conduct land trafficking negotiations, securing questionable 1,000-year leases with Indigenous communities for vast territories within the Amazon rainforest.
Bolivia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country does not recognize legally the alleged “United States of Kailasa,” asserting that all agreements made were invalid. Following these revelations, the Kailasa group members were deported back to their respective home countries, including India, the United States, Sweden, and China. The situation has raised eyebrows regarding the integrity of claims made by Nithyananda and his organization.
This bizarre sequence of events traces back to 2019, when Nithyananda fled India amid serious allegations, including rape and child abuse, further clouding the group's attempts at legitimacy. The recent actions by Bolivian authorities serve as a reminder of the boundaries that even those who claim sovereign status must navigate in the global landscape.
