Q. You do not allow journalists to access your Panvel ashram. If you have nothing to hide, why take such measures?
A. For four days, post Sameer Gaikwad's arrest, we allowed reporters inside the ashram. But, we were wrongly represented on a TV channel. Later, there was a wrong version printed in a newspaper wherein a journalist stated that we give arms and ammunition training. We do not have any arms and ammunition in the ashram and we do not give training. This is an international conspiracy to defame us.

Abhay Vartak, 40, is a BSc graduate from Pune University, who became a sadhak in 1996. He is now the spokesperson of the Sanstha. PIC/Atul Kamble