Summary
- Peacock’s upcoming docuseries Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. delves into the controversies surrounding ousted Hare Krishna leader Guru Kirtanananda Swami.
- The series exposes dark times under Swami Ham’s reign at the New Vrindaban community, revealing criminal activities that led to his removal in 1987.
- Critics accuse Ham of using fear tactics and silencing those who went against him, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness warns viewers may find the negative portrayals disturbing.
Peacock has unveiled a trailer for its upcoming Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. The three-part true crime docuseries shines a light on the controversies surrounding an ousted leader of the Hare Krishna movement: Guru Kirtanandana Swami, also known as Keith Ham. The religious organization, formally called the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON), arrived in the United States in the late 1960s by way of Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who served as the group’s leader until he died in 1977.
Following Swami Prabhupada, Ham became the leader of the New Vrindaban community in West Virginia, the largest and most known Hare Krishna commune in the United States at the time. Touted as an “epic American tale,” the series exposes dark times, under Ham’s rein, in a movement centered on peace and love. Check out the trailer below.
Ham, who is described as manipulative, power-hungry, and the devil incarnate in the short trailer, was removed as the Movement of Hare Krishna’s leader in 1987 after the group discovered that he was involved in criminal activities. Ham would later face more severe consequences. In 1996, he pleaded guilty to racketeering and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He served eight years of that sentence and was released in 2004. He died in 2011 in India, where he was then living.
Outspoken critics of Ham have said that he utilized fear tactics to manipulate members and, more terrifyingly, the trailer reveals that anyone who went against him would not be heard from again.
Related: Peacock’s Myth of the Zodiac Killer: Every Major Reveal in the True Crime Doc, Explained
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness Responds to Peacock’s Series
Peacock
Following news of the upcoming docuseries’ release, ISKON’s Communications Ministry released a statement to the movement’s followers, warning that those unfamiliar with Ham’s story may be upset by the series.
“For those who don’t know the history, the film’s negative portrayals could be especially disturbing. Those familiar with ISKCON history may find it less so, knowing that 1) these events happened more than 35 years ago; 2) the GBC was proactive in expelling Kirtanananda Swami/Keith Ham in the 1980s when it learned of his immoral and criminal acts; 3) ISKCON was instrumental in assisting the government in their prosecution, and eventual jailing of, Keith Ham,” the statement reads.
Check out Peacock‘s synopsis for Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. below:
“When an Indian Swami gives a lost generation of Americans a new message of love, the Hare Krishna religion is born. But when the Swami dies without finishing his mission, an American Guru tries to seize control of the movement, leading to accusations of racketeering and murder, and the investigations by a West Virginia Sheriff’s Detective, the LAPD and the FBI. Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder. gives a glimpse into the epic American tale about charismatic personalities that offer divine light, and Krishna devotees who discover their movement has been corrupted by greed, lust for power and vengeance.”
The three-part docuseries lands on Peacock on Tuesday, October 24th. It is executive produced by Joseph Freed, Allison Berkley, Tara Long, David Holthouse, and Tim Clancy, and produced by Entertainment One Reality Productions, LLC. and Marwar Junction Productions.
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