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Bangalore: Derogatory Comments - Iskcon Slaps Defamation Suit on Shivakumar

  •   Thu, Jun 10 2010 02:58:03 PM

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 10: The local unit of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) and its head, Madhu Pandit Dasa, have filed defamation suits against D K Shivakumar, working president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, and three others. The case relates to the allegations levelled by Shivakumar against Iskcon, charging it with indulging in black-marketting of rice, collecting donations for its ‘Akshaya Patre’ noon meal programme (Akshaya Patra) for the school children by circulating photographs of children in foreign countries, etc.

The three others named by Iskcon as defendants are, Hanumantarayappa from Malhathalli, ‘Lankesh Patrike’ editor, Gauri Lankesh, and its reporter, Ra Somanath. The case has been filed in the city civil court, and Iskcon has claimed damages of Rs 1.8 crore from the concerned. It has said that its image has been damaged both at national and international level, because of the charges levelled against them by the defendants.

After conducting in investigation into the allegations of hoarding and black-marketting, Bangalore district deputy commissioner, MK Ayyappa, had recently absolved Iskcon of any wrongdoing. Iskcon decided to drag Shivakumar to court on the basis of this report. Copy of this report was furnished to the court on Wednesday.

Reacting to the development, Shivakumar welcomed Iskcon’s action. “This will enable me to throw more light on the irregularities being committed by Iskcon in the name of noon meal programme. Already a house committee has been formed to investigate this scam. The committee will conduct a sitting on Friday June 11, and Iskcon also needs to send its representatives to the sitting. Iskcon might have filed defamation suit in view of the said sitting. I will soon bring out all the irregularities with which Iskcon is involved,” he said.

It may be recalled that Shivakumar had termed Iskcon governing council members as ‘rice thieves’, and called its ‘Akshaya Patre’ noon meal programme for students as ‘Bhiksha Patre (begging bowl)’ programme. He had demanded for the arrest of Iskcon chief, Madhu Pandit Dasa, and Chanchalapathi Dasa, governing council member.

 
  

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Comment on this article

  • Harish, Bangalore

    Thu, Jun 10 2010

    ISKCON is a great organization. People such as Shivakumar who cannot feed poor children have no right to find fault with ISKCON. First let him feed the poor children in a grander scale than ISKCON then come forward to find fault with ISKCON's Akshaya Patra program. Politicians should keep away from religious institutions performing philanthropic activities. For any good work done there are always critics and hurdles. I sympathize with ISKCON. I am sure they will come out successfully. I have visited ISKCON's Bangalore and Vrindavan temples. The prasadam served is simply superb. I love going to ISKCON for the prasadam they serve in the restaurants. More over ISKCON in USA is different from ISKCON in Bangalore. There is no connection between them. Akshaya Patra food served to children has increase the attendance in schools and reduced the out rates. This is proved in a research by Harvard university recently.

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  • Apekshith Ramesha, Mysore

    Thu, Jun 10 2010

    I think what DK shivakumar has stated is right because, i have been in USA for a long time and i have seen ISKCON people collecting money just for this cause. On top of that i had their food when i was in India and i would say it was not even upto the standard of free meals provided by the govt. The main concern about the food they provide is that the food lacks onions, garlic and other spices which are not consumed by the temple. through this they are not only controlling the type of food consumed by the students but also influencing them with their way of life which is totally unacceptable.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse


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