Kolkata: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) released a statement on Tuesday announcing the banning of one of its monks, Amogh Lila Das.
ISKCON said it has banned the monk for a month due to an inappropriate comment made by Amogh Lila Das about two highly revered spiritual figures Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhans.
Amogh Lila Das is known as a spiritual motivational speaker with a significant following on social media platforms.
However, during one of his pravachans (spiritual discourses), he questioned Swami Vivekanandas consumption of fish, sating that a virtuous person would never consume anything that causes harm to animals.
Following the controversial comments made by Amogh Lila Das, the situation quickly gained traction on social media platforms, sparking a major controversy.
The intense public response and the ensuing controversy prompted ISKCON to take swift action against their monk.
In its statement, ISKCON said it was pained by Amogh Lila Dass inappropriate and unacceptable comments and his lack of understanding about the great teachings of these two personalities, adding that he would be banned from ISKCON for a months period.
The statement further mentioned that Amogh Lila Das had begged for forgiveness for his comments and has taken a vow to go on prayaschit (atonement) for one month in the hills of Govardhan.
It said he shall completely seclude himself from public life with immediate effect.
