However, Bolivia’s government has now declared its agreements null and void, deporting those involved to their respective home countries, including India, the United States, Sweden, and China.
‘No diplomatic relations with Kailasa’“Bolivia does not maintain diplomatic relations with the alleged nation ‘United States of Kailasa,’” the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, according to The New York Times.
The controversy dates back to 2024, when Kailasa representatives approached the indigenous Baure community in Bolivia, offering assistance with forest fire management.
In return, they negotiated access to land “three times the size of New Delhi”, promising the Baure group nearly $200,000 annually under what was initially presented as a 25-year lease.
However, as The New York Times reported, the true terms of the agreement were far more extreme—granting Kailasa control for 1,000 years and allowing rights over airspace and natural resource extraction.
“We made the mistake of listening to them. They offered us that money as an annual bonus for conserving and protecting our territory, but it was completely false,” Baure leader Pedro Guasico was quoted as saying.
What is ‘Kailasa’?Kailasa claims to be the world’s first sovereign Hindu nation, founded by Nithyananda as a refuge for Hindus facing persecution. According to its website, it is governed by the Hindu Adi Shaivite minority community and is dedicated to reviving an “authentic” Hindu civilisation.
The website further asserts that Kailasa has a population of 100 million Adi Shaivite Hindus and two billion practising Hindus worldwide. Its official languages are English, Sanskrit, and Tamil, and it follows Sanatana Hindu Dharma as its state religion.
Kailasa’s stated goals include promoting a temple-based lifestyle, universal free healthcare, free education, vegetarianism, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. It also claims to advocate for the integration of yoga, meditation, and the gurukul education system into daily life.
Despite its grand claims, Kailasa has no recognised territory or international legitimacy. Its efforts to forge diplomatic ties—including sending letters to mayors and engaging with UN forums—have been widely criticised as attempts to legitimise a nation that does not formally exist.
Who is Nithyananda?
Born Rajashekharan in Tamil Nadu, Nithyananda rose to prominence in the early 2000s after establishing an ashram near Bengaluru. His teachings, influenced by the spiritual philosophies of Osho Rajneesh, gained him a devoted following.
However, his reputation was marred by a series of criminal allegations. In 2010, a video of him in a compromising position with an actress went viral, leading to his arrest on rape charges. He was later accused in a separate case of sexual assault and child abduction.
Fleeing India in 2019, Nithyananda resurfaced as the self-proclaimed head of Kailasa, presenting it as a sanctuary for Hindus worldwide. He has since made repeated, though largely unsuccessful, attempts to gain recognition for his “nation” on the global stage.
The latest crackdown in Bolivia raises further questions about Kailasa’s legitimacy and operations. With its representatives arrested and deported, and its land deals nullified, the future of Nithyananda’s so-called nation remains uncertain.
While its website continues to proclaim ambitious goals, international authorities are increasingly scrutinising its activities.
