In a video that is currently going viral on social media, BJP MP Maneka Gandhi launched a vicious attack against the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), branding it the “biggest cheat” in the nation. Animal rights campaigner Gandhi said that the ISKCON sold cows from its gaushalas (cowsheds) to butchers.
“The biggest cheat in India today is ISKCON. They establish gaushalas for which they get unlimited benefits from the government to run them. They get huge land…everything. I just visited their Anantput Gaushala. Not a single dry cow is present. All are dairies. There is not a single calf. It means all of them were sold. ISCKON is selling all its cows to the butcher,” Gandhi can be heard saying in the video.
A dry cow is one that has not been milked.
She continues, “…They say their entire life is dependent on milk…Probably no one has sold as many cattle to butchers as they did. If these people can do it, what about others?”
ISKCON releases a statement
ISKCON, a group affiliated with the Hare Krisha movement, retaliated against the BJP MP hours after the video went viral by labelling her claim “unsubstantiated” and “false.”
Not only in India but also internationally, ISKCON has been in the forefront of cow and bull protection and care. As opposed to what is allegedly the case, cows and bulls are served for life, not sold to butchers, according to ISKCON spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The temple’s administration issued a statement in which they claimed to be “surprised” by Gandhi’s remarks.
“ISKCON has pioneered cow protection in many parts of the world where beef is a staple diet. Within India, ISKCON runs more than 60 gaushalas protecting hundreds of sacred cows and bulls and providing personalised care for their entire lifetime. Many of the cows presently served in ISCKON’s gaushalas were brought to us after being found abandoned, injured, or rescued from being slaughtered,” the statement read.
It added, “In recent times, ISKCON has begun training programs for the farmers and rural households on cow care techniques to help revive the culture of cow worship and care as was the case in previous generations. Several ISCKON gaushalas are recognised and lauded for their high cow-care standards by the government or associate of gaushalas.”
Response to the unsubstantiated and false statements of Smt Maneka Gandhi.
— Yudhistir Govinda Das (@yudhistirGD) September 26, 2023
ISKCON has been at the forefront of cow and bull protection and care not just in India but globally.
The cows and bulls are served for their life not sold to butchers as alleged. pic.twitter.com/GRLAe5B2n6
Congress’s response
Vijay Thottathil, the coordinator of INC Overseas, published Maneka Gandhi’s video on X (previously Twitter), adding, “This is big as these allegations are made by a former central minister of the 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?” he questioned.
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Source: HT
