Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament and animal rights activist, Maneka Gandhi, has launched a scathing attack on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), accusing the religious organization of selling cows from its gaushalas (cowsheds) to butchers. In response, ISKCON has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them “unsubstantiated and false.”
Gandhi’s accusations surfaced in a viral video where she labeled ISKCON as the “biggest cheat in the country.” She claimed that ISKCON maintains gaushalas and benefits from government support, including vast land holdings. Gandhi’s criticism centered on her visit to ISKCON’s Anantpur Gaushala in Andhra Pradesh, where she alleged that no cow there was incapable of producing milk or calves, suggesting that all were sold.
“ISKCON is selling all its cows to the butchers. No one else does this as much as they do. And they go on and sing ‘Hare Ram Hare Krishna’ on the roads. Then they say their entire life is dependent on milk. Probably, no one has sold as many cattle to the butchers as they did,” Gandhi claimed in the video.
In response to these allegations, ISKCON’s national spokesperson, Yudhistir Govinda Das, strongly refuted the claims. He asserted that ISKCON has been at the forefront of cow and bull protection and care, not only in India but globally. “The cows and bulls are served for their life, not sold to butchers as alleged,” he stated.
According to an official statement from ISKCON, the religious body has pioneered cow protection efforts in many parts of the world where beef is a staple diet. The statement expressed surprise at Maneka Gandhi’s allegations, considering her reputation as an animal rights activist and a well-wisher of ISKCON.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, closely associated with the Hare Krishna movement, boasts hundreds of temples and millions of devotees worldwide.
This controversy comes on the heels of a recent incident where one of ISKCON’s monks criticized Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa. In response, ISKCON swiftly banned the monk, Amogh Lila Das, and sent him for atonement after his comments sparked a significant controversy.
Summary:
- BJP MP Maneka Gandhi accuses ISKCON of selling cows to butchers, labeling them the “biggest cheat in the country.”
- Gandhi’s accusations were made in a viral video, claiming ISKCON sells all its cows from gaushalas.
- ISKCON vehemently denies the allegations, emphasizing their global efforts in cow and bull protection.
- The religious body expresses surprise at Gandhi’s statements, considering her reputation as an animal rights activist.
- This controversy follows a recent incident where an ISKCON monk criticized Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
