Lila’s mother Susan Manning, sister Marie and brother Bhisma mourn as her body is prepared for cremation. File image courtesy of Theage.com.au.

I had written about the tragic death of Anand Lila Salter in Vrindavan early this year. Lila salter, the 17 year old Aussie girl, who had spent a major chunk of her life in India along with her kins and friends in the holy Vrindavan, was killed by a local stalker she knew well in February this year. Her family had asked for police protection in view of the impending threat to her life. Yet the administration failed and the unthinkable occurred. The killer, who was in a one-sided emotional bond with Lila, later committed suicide. So, it became a shut case for the investigators. Not so for Lila’s family and friends though, as they have been arguing for some valid questions to be answered.

They have launched a Safe Vrindavan Campaign, dedicated to Lila Salter now, and are looking forward to help from like-minded people from all over the world. The campaign involves signing of a petition addressed to the Indian President, seeking to see steps being undertaken for preserving the sanctity of Vrindavan and providing its Indian and resident foreign tourists with the safety and due respect they deserve.

If Vrindavan could not be made safer, if those willing to adopt Indian way of life and its culture could not be guaranteed about their safety and respect, then what should we be so proud about in India? This question becomes more significant, in view of the ongoing furor over Christian missionaries and their activities in this nation. The BJP, RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal may have some genuine concerns to raise about forced conversions (this author believes they do have, but he doesn’t agree with the way VHP and Bajrang Dal decide to behave). But, how would they justify the continuing apathy at Hindu religious places in India? What have they been doing to make Vrindavan, Varanasi and Ayodhya safer and suitable for spiritual seeking. They may have a strong objection against a section of Muslims and Christians, but they haven’t helped the true Hinduis either! It is no secret that many Hindu holy places are thronged by religious middlemen and hardcore criminals. There aren’t any vote banks for the likes of Mayawati and Mulayam Singh to be edgy about in Vrindavan. But, neither have the Hindutva organizations done anything in all these years.

I hope all of you join and forward this LILA SALTER CAMPAIGN FOR A SAFE VRINDAVAN to as many poeple as you may know about. They ask for Vrindavan – a religious and cultural place of immense significance for all Indians – being made better. This isn’t about Hinduism or Islam or Christianity alone. Why wouldn’t you join in or won’t be willing to help them?

Image Courtesy Sydney Morning Herald

I came across the following story in Sydney Morning Herald, (also check…and this) and ended up writing down the following letter to its editor:

I have been logging on to your website each night, in fact very late by the Indian Standard Time, hoping to get the mainstream Australian viewpoint about the ongoing India-Australia cricket series. It became more of fun, speaking precisely, since the days of infamous SCG test match, as the two sides, cricketing and non-cricketing both, begun taking digs at each other. And it was worth going through the whole drama, your view points included. However, the last two days brought a completely different notion to this author’s mind. Not due to any of your journalistic errors, in fact you were well on target in describing about the 17-year old ‘Lila’ Salter of Vrindavan, which left this author numb and saddened like many others.

I have personally been through it, and know how it feels like awaiting one of your kin’s imminent demise. But it sounds more hurtful, when you look at how the events unfolded and how far dignified the bereaved family had proved out to be, despite being harmed in such a sinister way. They came from a remote world, and yet made India, its religion, language and culture part of their lives, more than what many of my fellow Indians might do, I know it. The fatal attack on Lila was tragic, one wouldn’t disagree about it, but it leaves me saddened more in India, because I value her compassion and the respect she had for my way of life. The realization, we failed to protect her and pay back for the warmth she came smiling with all the way from Australia, will keep us haunting for long now. May god bless Lila with eternal peace! May god bless her family with resilience!

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According to the latest report, she is now dead.