The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has sent a legal notice to BJP MP Maneka Gandhi, demanding an apology and ₹ 100 crores in damages for her alleged defamatory remarks against the organization.
According to the notice, Gandhi had made “baseless, false, frivolous and derogatory” statements against ISKCON and its founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, during a live session on Facebook on August 25.
The Iskcon has termed her allegations “completely unfounded” and said the devotees were “deeply pained” by the remarks.
“Today, we have sent a Rs 100 crore defamation notice to Maneka Gandhi for leveling completely unfounded allegations against Iskcon. The worldwide Iskcon devotees, supporters, and well-wishers are deeply pained by these defamatory, slanderous, and malicious accusations. We will not leave any stone unturned in our pursuit of justice against the fallacious propaganda against Iskcon,” Vice President of Iskcon Kolkata, Radharaman Das, said.
He further said, “Maneka Gandhi speaks about the Anandapur Gaushala; strikingly interesting is that our bhakts and members have not seen her visit that particular gaushala.”
“How can she speak of that place without going to the place?” he added.
The notice claimed that Gandhi had accused ISKCON of being a “commercial cult” that exploits people for money and brainwashes them. She also allegedly said that Prabhupada was a “fake guru” who had no knowledge of Hindu scriptures and distorted them to suit his own agenda.
The notice said that Gandhi’s statements were “highly defamatory, malicious and amount to serious offenses under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code”. It also said that her.
