ISKCON
Radharaman Das, who defended Bengal's vegetarian mid-day meal plan, loses ISKCON post
Kolkata/IBNS: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has removed its Vice-President Radharaman Das from all portfolios in a dramatic development, days after he defended the West Bengal government's decision to entrust the organisation with preparing vegetarian mid-day meals for school students.
Das has been directed not to represent or speak on behalf of ISKCON before the media, government authorities, or any public forum, The New Indian Express reported.
Radharaman Das lists reasons behind his removal
In a post on X, Das shared what he claimed were the reasons behind the organisation's decision to remove him from his responsibilities.
According to Das, the reasons include:
1. Speaking publicly and giving media interviews on the persecution of Hindus and devotees in Bangladesh, including comments on Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu.
2. Sending a legal notice in response to allegations made by Maneka Gandhi that ISKCON sells cows to butchers.
3. Filing a cyber complaint against comedian Surleen Kaur for allegedly making derogatory remarks against ISKCON and its devotees.
4. Making public statements defending Sanatana Dharma in response to the "Eradicate Sanatan" campaign.
5. Sharing a social media post on Donald Trump's historical association with the 1976 New York Rathayatra.
Mid-day meal controversy
The development comes days after the West Bengal government announced that ISKCON would be entrusted with preparing vegetarian mid-day meals for school students.
The move has sparked controversy, with opposition parties and a section of the public arguing that replacing eggs with vegetarian food could affect children's nutrition and amount to imposing a vegetarian diet.
ISKCON's proposed meals would primarily include rajma, soyabean and other vegetarian items instead of eggs.
Defending the initiative, Das claimed on X that the proposed vegetarian menu offers higher protein content than the earlier egg-based meal.
He also cited Indian cricket star Virat Kohli while arguing that vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are gaining popularity worldwide.
"From Virat Kohli to Olympic gold medallists, many people across the world are now embracing a vegan lifestyle. In Europe, meat-eaters are switching to vegetarian diets to remain healthy," Das told Anandabazar Patrika.
Association with Mamata Banerjee
As ISKCON Kolkata's spokesperson and vice-president, Das frequently shared the stage with former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during major religious events, including the annual ISKCON Rath Yatra in Kolkata.
He also played a prominent role in the development and inauguration of the Jagannath Temple in Digha, a project backed by the West Bengal government under Banerjee.
Das had publicly praised the project and was seen alongside the then Chief Minister during related events.
His visible association with the state government led political opponents, particularly the BJP, to question his perceived proximity to the Trinamool Congress leadership.
However, there is no evidence that Das has ever been associated with the party in any official capacity.
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