Egg debate fallout? ISKCON sends Radharaman Das on leave for ‘acting unilaterally’ for years
ISKCON sidelines Kolkata VP Radharaman Das, citing repeated breaches of mandate and urging reflection after unilateral actions stirred controversy across forums
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has placed its Kolkata vice-president, Radharaman Das, on compulsory leave and directed him not to represent or speak on behalf of the organisation before the media, government authorities, or public forums.
Das was most recently in news for defending ISKCON’s strict vegetarian menu—suggesting replacements such as paneer, rajma, and soya chunks over eggs—even as a controversy rages around Kolkata’s school midday meal pilot project.
ISKON urges reflection and correction
The organisation said the action was taken after “multiple requests…over the years” for compliance with its procedures, citing concerns over unilateral actions that went beyond his mandate and in contrary to the organisation’s official stand and could affect other members’ safety and wellbeing.
In a media statement issued on Sunday (June 28), ISKCON said as a global body serving more than 100 countries “in various cultural, linguistic and social conditions”, ISKCON follows established “rules, standards, mandate and ethics” for its members.
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It said this corrective measure had been taken only after “multiple requests” made to Das “over the years”. ISKCON said it encourages Das to “reflect and correct his course of action” during the period of his compulsory leave.
Reasons cited to Das
Das has long been a prominent figure in West Bengal’s socio-political circles. He was known for his close association with the previous TMC state leadership, having played a key role during the construction and planning phases of the grand Jagannath Temple project in Digha.
Das has confirmed the action against him in a social media post. “I respect the decisions taken by the authorities and will abide by the directions issued to me,” he wrote.
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He also listed the five reasons for which the ISKCON initiated action against him: Speaking publicly and to the media on the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and supporting Bangladeshi Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu; issuing a legal notice to BJP’s Maneka Gandhi over her allegation that ISKCON sells cows to butchers; lodging a complaint against comedian Surleen Kaur over alleged derogatory remarks against ISKCON; making public statements on Sanatana Dharma; and sharing a social media post on US President Donald Trump’s association with the 1976 New York Rathayatra.