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'Setting up website different from setting up a nation': MEA on Nithyananda forming his own country 'Kailaasa'

MEA said all our missions and posts have been sensitised regarding Nithyananda.

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The government on Friday played down the reports of fugitive self-styled godman Nithyananda setting up his own country 'Kailaasa' near south American nation of Ecuador.

“Setting up a website is different from setting up a nation,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. 

The remarks from MEA spokesperson came during the weekly briefing when he was asked about the reports that Nithyananda claims to have formed a Hindu nation on an island near Ecuador.

Earlier on Friday, Ecuador denied the reports that Nithyananda has been given asylum by the coastal nation. 

Kumar said the government has cancelled the passport of rape-accused Swami and rejected his application for a fresh one.

"We have cancelled his passport, his fresh passport request was put on hold as he couldn't get clearance from police," Kumar said. 

He added that all our missions and posts have been sensitised. 

When asked about the current location of Nithyanand, Kumar said, "It is difficult to speculate on the location of fugitives and it is not for the MEA to find him."

"We have told foreign governments to inform us if they have any info. We are still waiting as of now," he added. 

When asked if the government will issue an extradition notice, the MEA spokesperson said the ministry only acts on the basis of inputs we receive from different agencies. “We have not received such requests...we can only take action once that comes to us,” he said.

Earlier, the Ecuadorian embassy issued in Delhi issued a statement saying that it has "denied the request for international personal protection (refuge) made by Mr Nithyananda."

Nithyananda, who hails from Tamil Nadu, is accused of rape, kidnapping and had left the country in mysterious circumstances. He claims to have formed a Hindu nation on an island near Ecuador.

Called 'Kailasaa', the country is said to be a 'nation without borders created by dispossessed Hindus from around the world who lost the right to practice Hinduism authentically in their own countries.'

The fugitive reportedly managed to dodge security agencies and fled to Ecuador via Nepal.

Nithyananda is accused of allegedly sexually harassing his former disciple under the garb of spirituality. 

Last month, the Gujarat Police also booked him on the charges of kidnapping and wrongful confinement of children to make them collect donations from followers to run his ashram - Yogini Sarvagyapeetham - in Ahmedabad. 

Two sadhvis at the ashram were arrested last month after two children aged 9 to 10 years told the police they were tortured, made to work and kept in illegal confinement at a flat in the city for over ten days.

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