False Reports About George Harrison's Estate

July 6, 2003

Dear Maharajas, Prabhus, and Friends,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Several days ago, media reports appeared in major media sources worldwide stating that George Harrison's family was already on their way to India to put George's ashes in the sacred rivers. Now we know from the same media sources that those stories were untrue and that his family is still in California.

Let me unequivocally state, there is NO evidence whatsoever to support the reports that George's estate is donating to the Hare Krishna society.

We are not sure what was the source of this misinformation, but it seems the media frenzy for newer and newer information about George led to rumors turning into "facts" that the press popularized worldwide. Such rumor mills are not uncommon when something this important occurs. (Remember the game you played as a child, whispering into the ear of your neighbor until the story that started out is completely distorted by the time it crosses the room.)

The last day or two, similar rumors have been spread on TV and in the press saying that George Harrison's estate will donate 10% of his money, future record profits, etc, to Hare Krishnas.

Unfortunately, these stories too are products of the media frenzy, and rumors turning into "facts."

I spent many hours today trying to track down the source of this "estate story." I spoke with reporters from the London Times, the New York Post, the Daily Telegraph, and others to find out, "Where did you get this story?-What are your sources?-and How do you know this is true?

As I suspected, one by one each paper referred me to another news report and yet another and another until no one knew where the story started except from an unattributed source in India. Frankly, some of the reporters were embarrassed that their paper had repeated the story without checking the facts.

Reuters News Agency has today retracted some of its earlier claims. The New York Post pulled a story it was ready to print about George's estate today when it understood it had no reasonable basis in fact.

I have been in contact with Shyamasundar Prabhu and Mukunda Goswami. Both of them are in regular contact with the family of George. Both are upset that such unfounded rumors are being spread.

Let me unequivocally state, there is NO evidence whatsoever to support the reports that George's estate is donating to the Hare Krishna society. We have no advance notice, we have not been informed by the family, or by any legal entity, etc. In fact, the family is very unhappy that such rumors are being spread.

As we know, George was a dear friend of our society. Many devotees, including myself, feel a great, great debt for all that George did for us in our spiritual lives. We also know that he was a very private person, and we should respect that.

His family is trying very hard to maintain a level of privacy and civility in the manner in which his passing is addressed, despite the pressures of the media and the rumormongers.

Below I have attached a copy of a media release that was sent out yesterday from my office with some official information about ISKCON response to George's passing away. Other things you may be hearing about the nature of his passing, the details of his family's plans, his estate, etc., are the private matters of the family.

I pray the media will respect his family's privacy more in the future. And, I pray that no ISKCON devotees or friends will fall victim to aiding the rumor mill that misdirects us from our remembrance and mourning of our friend and fellow devotee of the Lord, George Harrison.

Your servant, Anuttama Dasa