Gail Tredwell

Gail Tredwell's biography led to a huge controversy during February to March 2014 in Kerala where the Mata Amritanandmayi Ashram is located. The book alleges that a senior follower of the ashram, Balu, had a forced sexual relationship with the author for many years. It also alleges that Amritanandamayi behaved in a very rude and aggressive manner and abused the author for many years.[3][4][5]

After publishing the book Holy Hell, the first interview with Gail was publish dailyindianherald.com, online news paper. This interview was prepared by its chief editor Mr Vince Mathew, he was living in Perth Australia, but an Indian National, Kerala, Kottiyoor resident.

The mainstream media of Kerala was reluctant to report allegations made in the book. TV channels Indiavision, Reporter, Media One TV and newspapers Thejas and Madhyamam reported the news.[2][6]

Later TV channels People TV and Kairali TV telecasted an exclusive interview with Tredwell in two episodes, disregarding a legal notice from the Amritanandamayi Ashram. Kairali TV managing editor John Brittas had gone to New York to make the interview with Tredwell.[7] The Ashram initiated legal proceedings against the two channels and news presenter John Brittas for conducting the interview. The Press Club of India asked Amritanandamayi Ashram in Kerala to withdraw the case.[8]

In accordance with an order from Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, on 11 March 2014, Kerala Police registered a case against Gail Tredwell along with media organizations who reported the news, in response to a petition.[9] The case was booked under Sections 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298 (uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.[2]

Since the publication of "Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness," numerous sources alleging to have been personally familiar with Tredwell during her time with Amritanandamayi have come forward and described her deportment during her stay as emotionally unstable. Followers of Mata Amritanandamayi present in Amritapuri at the same time as Tredwell have asserted and maintained that she often behaved erratically; becoming increasingly possessive of the guru, displaying paranoid tendencies, and experiencing episodes of severe agitation and uncontrollable anger. It has been additionally asserted that Tredwell was, in fact, abusive herself, and known to inflict verbal abuse, psychological manipulation, and physical violence upon those around her, despite the repeated attempts of fellow devotees to placate her. Individuals allegedly familiar with Tredwell have expressed concerns regarding the motivations behind her claims as well, alleging that, along with ongoing tensions within the Ashram regarding her behavior, the major factors that led to Tredwell’s cessation from the spiritual community were an incompatibility with a monastic lifestyle and her having fallen in love with an American devotee of Amma’s who did not ultimately return her feelings. These same individuals contend that a mixture of bitterness, shame, financial drive, and her own struggles with mental health form the motivational basis for Tredwell’s claims of abuse. Despite these allegations, Gail Tredwell stands by the veracity of her claims and continues to speak on the matter. Amma has consistently expressed sympathy for Tredwell, saying during an interview in 2014 "Even now, Amma is only filled with love for that daughter. I am praying that virtue and goodness come. Time will shine forth the truth."

• Official website