"Glitch in Bhakti" is an anti-ISKCON documentary produced by some breakaway faction, which simply calls itself ISKCON Truth. They support the "ritvik system", but also criticize the official ritvik movement around the ex-ISKCON temple in Bangalore. Is it a breakaway of a breakaway?
The docu is probably confusing for those entirely new to the subject, consisting of excerpts from American news reports, private films of ritviks heckling the official ISKCON (which sometimes leads to brawls) and a mysterious tape recording in which Prabhupada seems to suggest that he is being poisoned. Plus other material also excerpted from elsewhere.
The message of "Glitch in Bhakti" is that ISKCON was a good organization under Prabhupada, but quickly degenerated after his death (or murder), when the 11 members of the new collective leadership turned themselves into "gurus" and hence usurped Prabhupada´s authority. The scandals surrounding New Vrindaban in West Virginia and the murder of Sulochan are mentioned. The docu also accuses the post-Prabhupada ISKCON of liberalism and decadence. Everything from an idol of Jesus to female fashion shows are frown upon, and so is the use of the English language when singing devotional hymns. New editions of Prabhupada´s books are another point of contention.
The "ritvik system" (or more properly the ritvik doctrine) is the idea that Prabhupada didn´t appoint a successor. The 11 members of the collective governing body therefore weren´t "gurus" and "acharyas" - these roles strictly belonging to Prabhupada himself - but rather "ritviks" or representatives, a lower position. Prabhupada remains the sole guru even posthumously. Maybe I missed something, but I don´t think it´s clear at all that this was Prabhupada´s intention. It certainly sounds as if he *did* appoint his successors to be gurus with the power to initiate their own disciples...
If you must know my position on this rather esoteric point (for an outsider).
Make of this content whatever you wish.
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