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{{short description|Australian author (born 1958)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name = Gail Tredwell
| name = Gail Tredwell
| image =
| image =
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption = Gail Tredwell from Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram
| caption = Gail Tredwell
| birth_place = [[Queensland]], Australia
| birth_place = [[Queensland]], Australia
| education =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = [[Author]]
| occupation = Author
| period =
| period =
| nickname = Gayatri
| nickname = Gayatri
| genre =
| genre =
| residence = [[Hawaii]], US
| movement =
| movement =
| notableworks = [[Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness]]
| notableworks = ''[[Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness]]''
| spouse =
| spouse =
| partner =
| partner =
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}}
}}


'''Gail Tredwell''' (born 1958) is an Australian author. She was born in [[Queensland]], Australia. Tredwell served [[Mata Amritanandamayi]], known more frequently as simply Amma, for 20 years (from 1980 to 1999) as a disciple. Her autobiography, ''[[Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness]]'',<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url= https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Hell-Memoir-Devotion-Madness/dp/0989679403|title= Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness from Amazon|date= 22 October 2013|publisher= Amazon.com}}</ref> was published in November 2013 by Wattle Tree Press, Maui, Hawai'i.<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite news|title=Amritanandamayi mutt row: Gail Tredwell, five news organisations booked|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amritanandamayi-mutt-row-gail-tredwell-five-news-organisations-booked/1/347997.html|accessdate=12 March 2014|newspaper=India Today|date=12 March 2014}}</ref>
'''Gail Tredwell''' (born 1958) is an Australian author. She was born in [[Queensland]], Australia. Tredwell served [[Mata Amritanandamayi]], known more frequently as simply Amma, for 19 years (1980-1999) as a disciple. Her autobiography, ''Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness'',<ref name=":0">{{cite book |title= Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness from Amazon|date= 22 October 2013|isbn= 978-0989679404|last1= Tredwell|first1= Gail}}</ref> was published in November 2013 by Wattle Tree Press, Maui, Hawai'i.<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite news|title=Amritanandamayi mutt row: Gail Tredwell, five news organisations booked|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amritanandamayi-mutt-row-gail-tredwell-five-news-organisations-booked/1/347997.html|access-date=12 March 2014|newspaper=[[India Today]]|date=12 March 2014}}</ref>


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
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.<ref name="gailTredwellBook">
Gail Tredwell's biography led to a controversy in 2014 in Mata Amritanandmayi's Ashram. The book alleges that a senior follower of the ashram, Balu, had sexually abused the author for several years. It also alleged that Amritanandamayi behaved rudely and aggressively, abusing the author for several years.<ref name="gailTredwellBook">
{{cite book |last=Tredwell |first=Gail |authorlink=Gail_Tredwell |year=2013 |title=Holy Hell A Memoir of Faith, Devotion and Pure Madness |isbn=978-0-9896794-0-4}}
{{cite book |last=Tredwell |first=Gail |authorlink=Gail Tredwell |year=2013 |title=Holy Hell A Memoir of Faith, Devotion and Pure Madness |publisher=Wattle Tree Press |isbn=978-0-9896794-0-4}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gail-tredwell-amrithanandamayi-mutt-balu/1/345168.html|title= Gail Tredwell stands by rape accusations against prominent Kerala Mutt priest|date= 23 February 2014|publisher= Indiatoday}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ammas-ex-aide-alleges-sexual-abuse-at-ashram/|title= Amma’s ex-aide alleges sexual abuse at ashram|date= 20 February 2014|publisher= IndiaExpress}}</ref>
</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gail-tredwell-amrithanandamayi-mutt-balu/1/345168.html|title= Gail Tredwell stands by rape accusations against prominent Kerala Mutt priest|date= 23 February 2014|website=Indiatoday.intoday.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ammas-ex-aide-alleges-sexual-abuse-at-ashram/|title= Amma's ex-aide alleges sexual abuse at ashram|date= 20 February 2014|website=Indiaexpress.com}}</ref> After publishing the book ''Holy Hell'', the first interview with Tredwell was published by Daily Indian Herald, an online news source.


⚫
The mainstream media of Kerala was reluctant to report these allegations. A few news sources however broke the story.<ref name="indiatoday" /><ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|title=Call to bring out truth about charges against Math|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/call-to-bring-out-truth-about-charges-against-math/article5768794.ece|access-date=10 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 March 2014}}</ref> Later, other news channels telecasted exclusive interview with Tredwell in two episodes, disregarding legal notices from the Amritanandamayi Ashram. Kairali TV managing editor [[John_Brittas | John Brittas]] went to New York for this interview with Tredwell.<ref name="IE1">{{cite news|title=CPM-backed Kairali TV airs interview of author who alleged sex abuse at Amritanandamayi ashram|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cpm-backed-kairali-tv-airs-interview-of-author-who-alleged-sex-abuse-at-amritanandamayi-ashram/|access-date=8 March 2014|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=8 March 2014}}</ref> The Ashram initiated legal proceedings against two news channels and also against news anchor John Brittas. The [[Press Council of India|Press Club of India]] asked Amritanandamayi Ashram in Kerala to withdraw the case.<ref name="hindu2">{{cite news|title=PCI plea to withdraw case|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pci-plea-to-withdraw-case/article5762179.ece|access-date=8 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=8 March 2014}}</ref>
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.


⚫
In accordance with an order from [[Ernakulam]] Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, on 11 March 2014, [[Kerala Police]] registered a case against Tredwell along with media organizations who reported the news, in response to a petition.<ref>{{cite news|title=Book on Amma: Petition against media organizations, others
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.<ref name="indiatoday" /><ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|title=Call to bring out truth about charges against Math|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/call-to-bring-out-truth-about-charges-against-math/article5768794.ece|accessdate=10 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 March 2014}}</ref>
⚫
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/book-on-amma-petition-against-media-organizations-others/article5752592.ece|access-date=5 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=5 March 2014}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="indiatoday"/>


==Malayalam translation of ''Holy Hell''==
⚫
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.<ref name="IE1">{{cite news|title=CPM-backed Kairali TV airs interview of author who alleged sex abuse at Amritanandamayi ashram|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cpm-backed-kairali-tv-airs-interview-of-author-who-alleged-sex-abuse-at-amritanandamayi-ashram/|accessdate=8 March 2014|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=8 March 2014}}</ref> The Ashram initiated legal proceedings against the two channels and news presenter John Brittas for conducting the interview. The [[Press Council of India|Press Club of India]] asked Amritanandamayi Ashram in Kerala to withdraw the case.<ref name="hindu2">{{cite news|title=PCI plea to withdraw case|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pci-plea-to-withdraw-case/article5762179.ece|accessdate=8 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=8 March 2014}}</ref>


''Holy Hell'' was translated into Malayalam <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2XPjhzDYRQ|title=Holly Hell (Malayalam translation) Release By K Venu|access-date=12 December 2021|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> It became an immediate sensation, but the publication of the book was stayed by the Supreme Court of India following the complaints made by the Math.
⚫
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Book on Amma: Petition against media organizations, others
⚫
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/book-on-amma-petition-against-media-organizations-others/article5752592.ece|accessdate=5 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=5 March 2014}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="indiatoday"/>

Since the publication of "Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness"<ref name=":0" /> numerous followers of [[Mata Amritanandamayi]] alleging to have been personally familiar with Tredwell have come forward on Amma Scandal website and described her deportment during her stay as emotionally unstable<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Gail Tredwell. Amma. Truth. Lies. Scandals. Fraud. And. Reality|url=https://ammascandal.wordpress.com/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Gail Tredwell. Amma. Truth. Lies. Scandals. Fraud. And. Reality|language=en}}</ref>. 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<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Sneha|date=2014-01-15|title=Remembering Gail Tredwell– A Letter From Brahmacharini Lakshmi|url=https://ammascandal.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/remembering-gail-tredwell-a-letter-from-brahmacharini-lakshmi/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Gail Tredwell. Amma. Truth. Lies. Scandals. Fraud. And. Reality|language=en}}</ref>. 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 <ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sneha|date=2014-02-21|title=“Gail Tredwell Lied About Me”: Kusuma Sets the Story Straight|url=https://ammascandal.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/gail-tredwell-lied-about-me-kusuma-sets-the-story-straight/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Gail Tredwell. Amma. Truth. Lies. Scandals. Fraud. And. Reality|language=en}}</ref>. 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. 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''."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Free Hugs? This Indian Saint Has Given Out Over 40 Million Hugs|url=https://www.gaia.com/article/amma-the-loving-hugging-humanitarian-saint-2|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Gaia|language=en-us}}</ref>

However Mata Amritanandamayi often stages herself in public as a goddess wearing a silver crown<ref>{{Cite web|title=33 Best Amma images {{!}} Mata amritanandamayi, Divine mother, Spirituality|url=https://www.pinterest.com/badpossumprods/amma/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Pinterest|language=en}}</ref>. Subsequently some devotees sincerely believe that she is actually gifted with spiritual powers<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amazzone|first=Laura|last2=ContributorContributor|date=2011-06-19|title=Amma: The Divine Mother Embracing The World|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/amma-the-divine-mother-em_b_879199|access-date=2020-08-09|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref>. As a result it is hard to know whether the testimonies posted on Amma Scandal<ref name=":1" /> are factual or designed to preserve Mata Amritanandamayi’s reputation by attacking or slandering those who criticize her<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Amma Controversy in SPUREN magazine|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://spuren.ch/content/magazin/single-ansicht-nachrichten/datum////die-amma-kontroverse.html&sandbox=1|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-09|website=translate.google.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cothse|first=|date=2009-06-20|title=“Cult Of The Hugging Saint” Website Deleted|url=https://cult-of-the-hugging-saint-exposed.blogspot.com/2009/06/cultofthehuggingsaint-website-deleted.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-09|website=“Cult Of The Hugging Saint” Exposed}}</ref>.

Despite the allegations published on Amma Scandal<ref name=":1" />, Gail Tredwell stands by the veracity of her claims and continues to speak on the matter. The reviews given by her readers on Amazon mainly support her view<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Holy Hell readers review on Amazon|url=https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Hell-Memoir-Devotion-Madness-ebook/dp/B00GB83S3G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=U9L8S7JNJ4CV&dchild=1&keywords=holy+hell+gail+tredwell&qid=1597006765&sprefix=holy+hell,aps,300&sr=8-1#customerReviews|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-09|website=www.amazon.com}}</ref>.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 14:44, 28 March 2024

Gail Tredwell
BornQueensland, Australia
NicknameGayatri
OccupationAuthor
Notable worksHoly Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness
Website
gailtredwell.com

Gail Tredwell (born 1958) is an Australian author. She was born in Queensland, Australia. Tredwell served Mata Amritanandamayi, known more frequently as simply Amma, for 19 years (1980-1999) as a disciple. Her autobiography, Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness,[1] was published in November 2013 by Wattle Tree Press, Maui, Hawai'i.[2]

Controversy

[edit]

Gail Tredwell's biography led to a controversy in 2014 in Mata Amritanandmayi's Ashram. The book alleges that a senior follower of the ashram, Balu, had sexually abused the author for several years. It also alleged that Amritanandamayi behaved rudely and aggressively, abusing the author for several years.[3][4][5] After publishing the book Holy Hell, the first interview with Tredwell was published by Daily Indian Herald, an online news source.

The mainstream media of Kerala was reluctant to report these allegations. A few news sources however broke the story.[2][6] Later, other news channels telecasted exclusive interview with Tredwell in two episodes, disregarding legal notices from the Amritanandamayi Ashram. Kairali TV managing editor John Brittas went to New York for this interview with Tredwell.[7] The Ashram initiated legal proceedings against two news channels and also against news anchor John Brittas. 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 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]

Malayalam translation of Holy Hell

[edit]

Holy Hell was translated into Malayalam [10] It became an immediate sensation, but the publication of the book was stayed by the Supreme Court of India following the complaints made by the Math.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tredwell, Gail (22 October 2013). Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness from Amazon. ISBN 978-0989679404.
  2. ^ a b c "Amritanandamayi mutt row: Gail Tredwell, five news organisations booked". India Today. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  3. ^ Tredwell, Gail (2013). Holy Hell A Memoir of Faith, Devotion and Pure Madness. Wattle Tree Press. ISBN 978-0-9896794-0-4.
  4. ^ "Gail Tredwell stands by rape accusations against prominent Kerala Mutt priest". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 23 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Amma's ex-aide alleges sexual abuse at ashram". Indiaexpress.com. 20 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Call to bring out truth about charges against Math". The Hindu. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  7. ^ "CPM-backed Kairali TV airs interview of author who alleged sex abuse at Amritanandamayi ashram". The Indian Express. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  8. ^ "PCI plea to withdraw case". The Hindu. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Book on Amma: Petition against media organizations, others". The Hindu. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Holly Hell (Malayalam translation) Release By K Venu". YouTube. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
[edit]
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