This is the response of Sastric Advisory Council Chairperson, Urmila Devi Dasi to the ISKCON India Scholars Board challenge to a debate in a shastrartha (this is in response to this message):
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Urmila/Edith Best <>
Date: Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 4:09 AM
Subject: Re: A formal challenge to the SAC for a sastrartha
To: Krishna Kirti Das <>
Dear Krishna Kirti Prabhu,
Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I acknowledge receipt of your invitation to the SAC for its members to participate in a debate on women giving diksa. According to the official SAC protocol and by-laws, only the GBC body or the GBC EC can request SAC for service. And, SAC, even with a request from the EC or the whole GBC body, can decline. The SAC does not consider service requests (or challenges to a debate!) from any individual GBC member, from any ISKCON body other than the GBC (including the deputies, SABHA, a GBC ministry, continental board, etc.), or from any individual ISKCON member.
Of course, individual SAC members may also write, publish, teach, and debate completely in their capacity as an individual member of ISKCON, working under the authority of their spiritual masters and local or international ISKCON leadership. Such research, writing, public speaking, and so forth of individual SAC members, acting outside of SAC service, does not represent SAC, and has no greater or lesser effect on GBC policy and ISKCON management as compared to any other member of ISKCON in good standing.
I hope this meets you in good health and blissful Krishna consciousness.
Your servant, Urmila devi dasi
