(a) whether 130 Indian Vedic Pandits went missing from the United States;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the US Government has any alleged role in this incident;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(e) the steps being taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)
(a) & (b) Government is aware of recent reports in the U.S. media suggesting that
nearly 163 Vedic Pandits have gone missing from the Maharishi Vedic City and Maharishi
University of Management situated at Iowa in the U.S. due to grueling conditions of
employment.
(c) & (d) Government is not aware of information suggesting any role of the U.S.
Government in the disappearance of the Vedic Pandits.
(e) The Consulate General of India in Chicago contacted the Maharishi University
of Management on this issue immediately after the publication of the media reports.
The Maharishi University of Management informed the Consulate that they had kept the
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprised of all cases of absconding Vedic
Pandits. The Maharishi University also conveyed that some of the missing Pandits
were returning back to the University and will be sent back to India. The Consulate
continues to pursue the matter with U.S. authorities and with the Maharishi University
of Management.