CPO Formation
Formation of the Child Protection Office (CPO)
As per the Indian Bureau resolution passed in May 2022 which ratified the establishment of the Indian CPO. Initially, an Oversight Committee was formed consisting of the following members:
Śaṅkhadhārī Dāsa, Indian Bureau General Secretary, CPO Oversight Committee
Pañcaratna Dāsa, Director
Mukunda Mādhava Dāsa
Sumitra Kṛṣṇa Dāsa
Śubhekṣaṇa Dāsa
Daivī Prakṛti Devī Dāsī,
Thereafter, the CPO Secretariate Body was formed which will be the implementing authority and will report to the Oversight Committee who will report to Indian Bureau, and liaison with the temples in cases of non-cooperation. And the Secretariate Body currently consists of:
Pañcaratna Dāsa
Daivī Prakṛti Devī Dāsī, Director, CPO Secretariate
Keshava Krsna Dasa, Secretary
Sumitra Kṛṣṇa Dāsa
Karuṇākara Acyuta Dāsa
Our CPO Overseeing Committee Members
HG Pañcaratna Dāsa
Director, CPO Oversight Committee
Studied Civil Engineering and consequently opened his own construction company in Australia for some time.
After joining in Adelaide travelled all over South and Western Australia as sankirtan devotee distributing Srila Prabhuapdas books and collection of funds for six years.
In 1987 by the mercy of Lord Caitanya, moved to Sri Dham Mayapur to look after the site construction of Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi with over 300 workers. He remained there for four years before transferring to Vrndavan and Jaipur Rajasthan in 1991 where he became Temple President.
He has three children with a very supportive wife in a stable married life.
Always believing in a Team spirit has been a part of development of the Sri Sri Giridhari Dauji Mandir in Jaipur having 13 extension centers or outposts. Also assisted in the development and establishment of 35 centers in Rajasthan. He is appointed as RSA for Marwar Zone of Rajasthan.
In 2021, being requested by His Holiness Gopal Krsna Goswami he proposed the formation of CPO Bharat which was approved by the ISKCON India Bureau in the same year. He is acting as Co-Director for CPO Bharat.
His particular role in the executive body is overall oversight and management. Maintaining the office secretariate, accounts, reports to the Bureau, liaison with the GBC and with the ICPO and ensuring co-operation of the ISKCON India centers. Also assisting the smooth functioning of the Team.
Has attended many ISKCON courses on leadership training and CPO training over the years and held many positions within the society such as IIAC and IRGB Chairman. Past member of the SABHA etc.
Is dedicated to the education of members of the society in the matter of child protection. Timely verification of complaints to give relief to the victims is a priority. At the same time to develop systems of counselling and support for both victims and perpetrators alike
HG Daivī Prakṛti Devī Dāsī
Director, CPO Secretariate
Daivi Prakriti Devi Dasi originates from Mumbai but has established her home in Solapur, a district within the state of Maharashtra, India. Her journey with ISKCON began in 2004, under the guidance of HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj, to whom she is a devoted disciple. Her academic pursuits led her to attain a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, where she specialized in Criminology & Correctional Administration. Following her education, Daivi Prakriti engaged in professional social work for two years at a children's home. However, her true calling emerged when she joined PRAYAS, a noteworthy field action project affiliated with TISS, dedicated to criminal justice reform and rehabilitation. For over three decades, she has been deeply involved in this noble cause, focusing on the reformation and rehabilitation of young male and female offenders, as well as juvenile offenders and women rescued from prostitution. Throughout her extensive tenure, Daivi Prakriti has served as a reliable resource person, conducting numerous training sessions and sensitization workshops. Her expertise has been invaluable to various stakeholders, including officials, students of social work, probation officers, police personnel, members of the judiciary, and prison department staff. Her unwavering commitment to social justice and human welfare underscores her remarkable contributions to society.
Roles and responsibilities as Director of CPO-Bharat Secretariate
1. Reach out to ISKCON temples, extension centers, farm communities, gurukulas, schools and also gurukulas and schools run by individual devotees to encourage them to form individual Child Protection Teams (CPT) and register with CPO-Bharat.
2. Conduct visits to the registered ISKCON temples, extension centers, farm communities, gurukulas, schools and also gurukulas and schools run by individual devotees and assist them in implementing the preventive and educative measures related to child protection. And assist in identifying restricted areas for children below 18 years of age within their premises to display the sign boards.
3. Organize awareness sessions during the visits on the importance of child protection child rights, various Indian legal laws related to children, roles and responsibilities of all the stakeholders like the CPT members, temple management members, brahmacaris, congregation devotees, volunteers helping with children activities, parents, children, etc.
4. Assist CPT members in investigating reported cases of abuse by interviewing the perpetrator and victim and compile detailed reports of the findings.
5. Offer guidance and counselling to CPT members, individual devotees, victims, perpetrators as needed, providing support and assistance through the process.
6. Prepare half yearly and annual reports summarizing the activities, outcomes, challenges faced of the CPO-Bharat for submission to the ISKCON India Bureau, GBC.
7. Maintain all the documents, reports, statements, etc. related to the cases of abuse reported to CPO-Bharat.
HG Sumitra Kṛṣṇa Dāsa
Member, CPO Oversight Committee
His Grace Sumithra Krishna das is a senior devotee with extensive experience in ISKCON administration and spiritual leadership. He is a dedicated disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami.
With academic qualifications including a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Business Administration, he has been an integral part of ISKCON Chennai since 1985. His roles have ranged from traveling sankirtan leader in 1986 to a gradual elevation of Temple President in 2007. Under his leadership, ISKCON inaugurated the gorgeous Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple in 2012.
He has completed several certification courses conducted by ISKCON including a Zonal Supervisor Course from GBC College in 2018, and training courses kiin child protection, leadership, mediation, ombudsman and devotee care.
His additional services include Vice Chairman of the Indian Continental Committee, member of SABHA and ISKCON Bharat Advisory Committee.
In his role as a with the Bharat Child Protection Office (BPCO), he assists in arranging Child Protection Teams (CPT), obtaining reports, and assists in presenting child protection training seminars that focus on education and prevention. He liaises with other ISKCON bodies in regards to child protection and care, helps in the adjudication of cases, and facilitates advice from legal experts for the child protection office.
HG Karuņākar Acyuta Dāsa
Member, CPO Oversight Committee
His role at Bharat CPO involves investigation, counselling and training.
HG Kulaṣhekhar Dāsa
Legal Consultant
Kulashekhar Das (Adv. Kuldeep Kulkarni) is a disciple of H. H. Radhanath Swami. He is a practising ISKCON devotee since year 1999 and served our mission in various capacities. By profession he is an advocate. With his legal acumen, he serves CPO Bharat as legal consultant.