Maneka Gandhi accuses ISKCON of selling cows to butchers in viral video

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Maneka Gandhi has ignited controversy with her recent accusations against the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

In a widely circulated video, Gandhi alleged that ISKCON is the "biggest cheat in the country" and is involved in selling cows from its cowsheds to butchers.

In the video, the former Union Minister and animal rights activist is heard saying, "ISKCON establishes gaushalas and earns unlimited benefits for the same from the government, in the form of huge lands."

This is big as these allegations are made by a former central minister of BJP, none other than Maneka Gandhi!

Where is the Cow vigilantes ? Are they not keeping an eye on these activities of ISKCON?

Will the government probe these allegations? pic.twitter.com/7Kb9baoPwN

— Vijay Thottathil (@vijaythottathil) September 26, 2023

What happened

Gandhi, a prominent advocate for animal rights, did not mince words in the video. She claimed that ISKCON establishes cowsheds and benefits greatly from government support, including substantial land grants.

Her visit to an ISKCON gaushala (cowshed) in Andhra Pradesh, according to her, revealed dismal conditions for the cows and an absence of calves, suggesting that they had been sold off to butchers.

"I recently visited their Anantpur Gaushala (in Andhra Pradesh) and did not find even a single cow in good condition there," she said.

"ISKCON is selling all its cows to the butchers, and no one else does this more than them. They are the ones who roam on the road chanting 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and claim their entire life is dependent on milk," Gandhi was heard saying in the video.

ISKCON's response

ISKCON has strongly rejected these allegations, calling them "unsubstantiated and false." ISKCON's national spokesperson, Yudhistir Govinda Das, clarified that many of the cows sheltered in their cowsheds were rescued from abandonment, injury, or slaughterhouses.

"ISKCON has pioneered cow protection in many parts of the world where beef is a staple diet," Govinda Das said in the statement.

"Many of the cows presently served in ISKCON's goshalas were brought to us after being abandoned, injured, or rescued from being slaughtered," he said.

Assessment of the local Member of Parliament and MLAs who are regular visitors to the Goshala should some more light on this matter. While Smt Gandhi has stated to have visited the Goshala, none of the workers or staff recollect seeing/meeting her. pic.twitter.com/2IF0YSfP2c

— Yudhistir Govinda Das (@yudhistirGD) September 26, 2023

What is ISKCON

ISKCON was founded in 1966 by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It centers on devotion to Lord Krishna, emphasizing practices like chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, studying Vedic scriptures, and promoting vegetarianism.

ISKCON has a global presence, with temples and centers worldwide. Its mission is to spread spiritual knowledge and encourage ethical living while providing charitable support.

The organization is known for its public chanting, vibrant festivals, and promotion of a vegetarian lifestyle, aiming to foster unity and peace through its spiritual teachings.

Cow slaughter in India

Cow slaughter is a controversial topic in India, with strong opinions on both sides.

Those who support cow slaughter argue that it is a necessary economic activity, as cows are a good source of meat and leather. They also point out that cow slaughter is a part of Indian culture for centuries, and that it is a religious right for Hindus to eat beef.

Those who oppose cow slaughter argue that cows are sacred animals in Hinduism, and that killing them is a sin. They also point out that cow slaughter is cruel and inhumane, and that it causes unnecessary suffering to the animals.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to ban cow slaughter in India. This movement has been led by Hindu groups, who argue that cow slaughter is a violation of their religious rights.

The Indian government has taken steps to ban cow slaughter in some states. However, there is still no national ban on cow slaughter.