The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Kolkata has placed Radharaman Das, the former Vice-President and spokesperson, on compulsory leave. Das is barred from representing or speaking on behalf of ISKCON in any public capacity. Ananta Bhagavan Das, ISKCON Kolkata’s Legal and Communications Director, confirmed the decision, citing Das’s failure to adhere to organizational protocols and overstepping his authority.
ISKCON’s statement highlighted the necessity of enforcing internal discipline and ethical standards across its global operations. Das’s removal from all organizational roles was officially communicated by ISKCON, following his unauthorized disclosures on social media. Despite the actions taken against him, Das acknowledged the decisions made and pledged to comply with the directives issued by the authorities.
The move came after Das engaged in various public activities, including media interviews on sensitive topics and addressing controversial issues. ISKCON’s decision to relieve Das of his responsibilities was prompted by his actions that were deemed contrary to the organization’s principles. Das, in response, expressed his acceptance of the consequences and committed to refraining from engaging with the media on ISKCON-related matters.
In a separate incident, Das had previously cautioned against misleading social media posts regarding the mid-day meal menu provided by ISKCON in Kolkata. He clarified that the circulated menu was fictitious and aimed to mislead the public. Despite his efforts to rectify misinformation, Das’s subsequent advocacy for protein-rich vegetarian diets sparked further controversy, leading to his removal from all positions within ISKCON Kolkata.
