Latest news with #Govinda
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Outrage after man eats KFC chicken inside vegetarian Iskcon restaurant
A screenshot of the video, which shows the shock on a Govinda's staff members face Image: Screenshot HINDU religious leaders have slammed a British man for eating KFC chicken at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) vegetarian restaurant in London, and filming the incident, which went viral on social media. In the video, the man entered Govinda's Restaurant and asked staff at the counter if it was a vegan restaurant. They told him it was a vegetarian restaurant and they did not serve meat, onion, and garlic. The man then asked the woman if she was sure, and took out a barrel of KFC, which he placed on the counter. He ate a piece of chicken and offered it to the woman, who was serving at the counter. With a look of horror, the woman said: 'Oh my God, go outside, please." The staff called for security, who told the man: 'It is a vegetarian shop. You cannot eat it here. Get out." The man then asked the woman serving, if she wanted some, and extended the chicken to her. With the chicken hanging out of his mouth, he walked around the restaurant asking customers if they 'want some chicken'. The man walked around the vegetarian restaurant with the KFC chicken Image: Screenshot A disgruntled customer told the man: 'Excuse me, you are actually violating someone's religious rights and this is not fair." The man put his hand in the air and screamed: 'Free the chicken,' before the video ended. Iskcon SA submitted a statement issued by Iskcon London president, Dayal Mora Dasa. He said the 'insufficient spiritual content in the education sector' was leading to poor morals in society. 'The International Society for Krishna Consciousness was established by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as a bold attempt to mitigate the sufferings of humanity and bring genuine peace and happiness into this world. 'In this mood, Prabhupada established temple communities in many major world cities, often in some of the most degraded and dilapidated areas because that is where the people needed his message the most. 'Soho Street (where Govinda's Restaurant is situated) was and still is a red light district in London and unmentionable deplorable acts are unfortunately visible. 'The religious leaders and government heads have as yet failed to come up with a solution for the degradation of society, particularly amongst the youth. 'Due to insufficient spiritual content in their education and poor role models in society, young people are now deriving happiness from other people's misery. It has become a social media phenomenon,' he said. Dasa said the incident at the restaurant was not isolated. 'The incident at Govinda's Restaurant was one of the countless incidents which take place daily all over the country in all kinds of places such as restaurants, shops, on the street, or even in people's homes. All of this is filmed and posted on social media for the morbid enjoyment of the viewers and followers. 'If the truth of the Gita could be taught at the schools and universities, then such wanton acts of aggression against innocent persons would cease. 'Every child should know that we are not these temporary material bodies and minds, rather we are eternal spirit souls and servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. Since all living beings are spiritual sparks originating in the Supreme source, then all life is sacred and to be respected. 'How can kindness and compassion develop in the heart of one who feasts upon the corpses of helpless innocent animals? It is only a bully who uses his strength and size to intimidate those who are weaker,' added Dasa. He said Iskcon forgave the creator of the video. 'We forgive and sincerely pray for the perpetrators of this undignified act, who due to ignorance are probably unaware or simply do not care about the pain they are causing by making such childish videos. 'May they awaken to the divine consciousness of seeing all living beings as equal on the spiritual platform, to no longer judge and act based upon superficial considerations, to grow and to appreciate the beauty of culture, tradition, moral values and the truth of scripture, and to understand that the real peace formula is in loving devotion to the Supreme." Pundit Lokesh Maharajh, chairperson of the Priest's Council of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS), said: 'The incident is highly disrespectful and culturally insensitive. For many Hindus, especially within the Hare Krishna tradition, such vegetarian restaurants are more than just places to eat. They are sacred spaces, closely connected to their temples and spiritual practices. "Bringing meat into that environment is not just breaking a house rule; it is seen as deeply offensive and a violation of the spiritual atmosphere. 'The sabha has often stressed the importance of respecting the beliefs and customs of all religious groups. In this case, deliberately eating meat in a space where vegetarianism is not only a rule but a spiritual principle could be seen as either a provocative act or a sign of ignorance,' he added. Maharaj said the man in the video should be held accountable. 'When someone shows clear disrespect for spiritual and cultural values in a sacred space like a religious restaurant or temple, they should be held accountable. Our response should be to ask the person to issue a public apology or do something that helps him understand the values he has offended. This approach helps build awareness and prevents further disrespect in the future. 'Accountability should not be based on a person's race, religion, or background. Everyone should be treated equally when it comes to respecting sacred values. Disrespect is unacceptable no matter who it comes from, and fairness must guide how we respond. We encourage people to stand up for their sacred values,' he added. Viresh Panday, founder of Food for Love Africa, a charity organisation that feeds over 15 000 cooked vegetarian meals daily to children of all cultures, said he was shocked by the video. 'The individual's actions were premeditated, inciting and totally offensive. Him walking around and offering people his meat dish is not the behaviour of a customer so he was looking to cause some trouble and get some attention. 'I have walked into many food places and if the menu was not suitable you would politely walk out. It is all about respect and consideration. Guess he missed those lessons growing up,' Panday said. Dr Rajendran Govender, commissioner of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission, said: 'From an anthropological standpoint, sacred spaces, be they temples, cultural institutions, or spiritual eateries, are not just venues of activity; they are carriers of identity, belief, and centuries of tradition. When someone enters such a space, they are stepping into a community's living heritage. 'To deliberately contravene its norms, such as bringing meat into a vegetarian spiritual restaurant, is not simply an act of personal choice. It can be perceived as a symbolic act of disregard or provocation." Govender said whether or not the video constituted religious intolerance depended on intent, but the effect could not be ignored. THE POST
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Watch: ISKCON devotees chant Hare Krishna outside KFC outlet to protest YouTuber's prank
Days after a British YouTuber received backlash on social media for entering a Govinda's restaurant in London and eating chicken, a video on X showed devotees of the religious body chanting 'Hare Krishna' outside a KFC outlet. According to reports, Govinda's restaurant is linked to an ISKCON temple in London. While the YouTuber, 'Cenzo', has apologised for the prank, X user @bhaktSenapati posted a video online showing ISKCON devotees protesting outside a KFC outlet, reportedly in New York. The post reads, 'They come to our restaurants to harass us, & we come to uplift their consciousness. Hare Kṛṣṇa.' They come to our restaurants to harass us, & we come to uplift their consciousness. 🙌 Hare Kṛṣṇa — Senāpati Bhakta (@bhaktSenapati) July 22, 2025 The controversy began after 'Cenzo', an YouTuber entered the ISKCON-run restaurant and consumed KFC while recording the act as a prank. Following backlash, the YouTuber issued a public apology, stating, 'If I had known that the restaurant was with the temple, I would have never filmed that prank and left. I stepped over the line and began to eat chicken in a vegan restaurant which was associated with the Hindu community. My actions were ill-timed and irresponsible.' The man allegedly taunted staff members even after being cautioned, an act that was widely condemned online for being offensive to the spiritual and dietary norms of the ISKCON community. Several netizens replied to the post by Senapati and while some showed their support, others slammed the form of protest. One user wrote, 'what a wonderful way to protest. Though KFC directly didn't do it, an insane customer did. But message delivered.' Another said, 'Great way to engage negative people and influence positively.' A third wrote, 'KFC se order laane wale ki galti thi KFC ki nhi (KFC was not at fault, a person who ordered from KFC was at fault).'
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
UK man who ate chicken in ISKCON restaurant responds to backlash: ‘I would call a joke but…'
The British content creator who was seen eating KFC chicken and taunting staff members inside a vegetarian ISKCON restaurant, Govinda's in London, has apologised days after his video sparked widespread outrage online. Identified as Cenzo, the British-African YouTuber with 6,000 subscribers, shared a video message revealing that he had been targeting vegan restaurants in the area and eating meat inside their premises as a prank. The man pulled out a KFC fried chicken basket, placed it on the counter, and helped himself to a chicken leg. (X/ssaratht) He shared a clip that showed him being warned by a man behind a counter that he was about to enter a temple and told that Govinda's restaurant, which offers vegetarian and vegan food, was next door. He apologised and turned around to enter Govinda's, where he filmed his prank. "If I had known that the restaurant was with the temple, I would have never filmed that prank and left," he said. The YouTuber, who faced widespread backlash after his viral video, said he had contacted the restaurant and would revisit them to offer his apologies. "God knows what they must be going through, seeing themselves all over social media over something that I would call a joke but in reality, it was not a joke," he said. "I stepped over the line and began to eat chicken in a vegan restaurant which was associated with the Hindu community. My actions were ill-timed and irresponsible," he said in the video, adding that after the video went viral, he "researched" the restaurant and learned about the Hindu community who predominantly eat there. "They believe in no violence and peaceful behaviours towards animals and people. My actions came off as offensive to the community, and I would like to offer heartfelt, sincere apologies," he added. In the viral video, the YouTuber is seen offering fried chicken pieces to staff members after they inform him that the restaurant does not serve meat. At one point in the clip, he dangled pieces of chicken from his mouth and yelled "free the chicken" before he was escorted out of the eatery.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
ISKCON Devotees Take ‘Coolest Revenge' On KFC After Man's ‘Chicken Eating Stunt' In London
Recently, a young man of African descent entered Govinda, a pure vegetarian restaurant, in London and asked staff for non-veg food. A controversy broke out after a video surfaced online showing a young man of African descent eating chicken inside Govinda's, a pure vegetarian restaurant run by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in London. The clip gained widespread attention online and drew strong reactions across social media. The man is seen entering the restaurant and asking staff if non-veg food is available. After being told that only vegetarian meals are served, he pulls out a KFC chicken box and starts eating it inside the premises. He even offers the meat to staff and other diners. His actions visibly disturb people around him, and he is eventually escorted out by security. In what many are calling an unexpected response, a new video has now appeared online. This time it shows two ISKCON saints standing outside a KFC outlet and chanting Hare Rama Hare Krishna. The moment, shared on X (formerly Twitter), is being dubbed the 'coolest revenge" by social media users. The caption on the video reads: 'They come to our restaurants to harass us, & we come to uplift their consciousness." 'We forgive and sincerely pray for the perpetrators of this undignified act, who, due to ignorance, are probably unaware or simply don't care about the pain they are causing by making such childish videos," the statement added. Meanwhile, according to a report by The Times of India, the police in London are currently investigating the matter. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
ISKCON's Govinda's reports social media influencer eating KFC inside Soho restaurant to police
Man eats chicken in an ISKCON restaurant LONDON: Police are investigating after a young black male YouTuber waltzed into the famous Govinda's vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Soho on Saturday, pulled out a tub of KFC and started eating chicken in front of horrified staff and guests. The restaurant is run by ISKCON UK's Radha-Krishna Temple in Soho. Temple president Dayal Mora Dasa has branded the video made by the man, since identified as a TikTok personality, as 'childish' and blamed the incident on the lack of spiritual content in Britain's education system. 'If the truth of the Gita could be taught at schools and universities then such wanton acts of aggression against innocent persons would cease,' he said. The man went into the canteen-style restaurant — often frequented by Indian students — at lunch-time and asked the Krishna devotees working there if it was a vegan restaurant. They replied 'Yes. It's a temple.' He asked, 'Are you sure there is no meat' and then opened up a bucket of KFC and ate the chicken fillets, offering them around, shouting 'Free the chicken'. A video of the incident went viral, offending Hindus worldwide, with some offering to pay to privately prosecute the man if police don't. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo Govinda's has reported the incident to the police. Dasa said: 'Srila Prabhupada established temple communities in many major world cities, often in some of the most degraded and dilapidated areas, because that is where the people needed his message the most. Soho street was and still is a red-light district in London and unmentionable deplorable acts are unfortunately visible every evening. Once on a British TV show the reporter asked Swamiji, 'Do you have a concept of hell in your religion?' 'Yes,' Prabhupada replied. 'London is hell.'' 'Religious leaders and govt heads have as yet failed to come up with a solution for the degradation of society, particularly amongst the youth. Due to insufficient spiritual content in their education and poor role models in society, young people are now deriving happiness from other people's misery…The incident in Govinda's was one of countless incidents… filmed and posted on social media for the morbid enjoyment of viewers and followers…,' he said. Restaurant manager Thirupati Gauranga Dasa said it was a 'clear act of provocation'. 'Since 1969, Govinda's has served as a spiritual sanctuary within the ISKCON tradition, offering karma-free meals. Bringing and consuming meat inside the premises was fundamentally misaligned with the sacred purpose of the space.'
