Ban ISKCON in India

Demand from Jagannath Temple Trust and Govardhan Peeth in Puri

(ISKCON – International Society for Krishna Consciousness)

Puri (Odisha) – ISKCON recently organized a Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath in Houston, USA, on November 9, which has sparked significant controversy. Following this, the Jagannath Temple Trust and Govardhan Peeth in Puri have demanded a ban on ISKCON in India.

What is the issue ?

1. ISKCON had assured the Odisha government and the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri that it would not organize a Rath Yatra outside the designated time. However, despite this assurance, ISKCON organized a Rath Yatra for Shri Jagannath in Houston, USA. This procession did not include the traditional idols of Shri Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, which led to criticism from Odisha authorities and devotees.

2. Govardhan Peeth spokesperson Matruprasad Mishra stated that this act was against religious values and demanded a ban on ISKCON in India. He added that ISKCON had given a written assurance to avoid such a procession but betrayed their trust.

3. Odisha’s Law Minister, Prithviraj Harichandan, mentioned that the Shri Jagannath Temple administration would decide on the matter, and the state government would support whatever decision the temple authorities make.

4. In response, Houston ISKCON issued a statement on its website, explaining that while they initially intended to hold the Rath Yatra with idols, they changed plans due to local sentiments. They affirmed that ISKCON and Puri temple officials are scheduled to meet in India next month to reach a consensus on this issue, keeping both tradition and devotees’ sentiments in mind.