Maneka Gandhi claims ISKCON sells cows to butchers; temple authority hits back

NEW DELHI: A major controversy erupted after BJP MP and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi accused the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)of selling cows from its gaushalas (cow shelters) to butchers.

In a video, Gandhi said that "ISKCON establishes gaushalas and earns unlimited benefits for the same from the government, in the form of huge lands," PTI reported.


"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 say their entire life is dependent on milk," Gandhi, an animal rights activist, said in the purported video.

The ISKCON refuted Maneka Gandhi's claims and said that the cows and bulls are served for their life not sold to butchers as alleged.


“ISKCON condemns the false statements made by Maneka Gandhi. She has spread misleading information as there are 246 cows that do not give milk in ISKCON's Anantpur Gaushala, and yet they are taken care of with the same affection just like other cows,” Vrajendra Nandan Das, ISKCON Communications Director said.


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