ISKCON Devotees Chant 'Hare Krishna' Outside KFC After Youth Eats Chicken in Pure-Veg Kitchen: Say 'We Uplift Consciousness' (VIDEO)

A surprising and upsetting incident at ISKCON’s Govinda’s restaurant in London recently sparked outrage across social media, and led to an unusual but heartwarming response from the temple’s devotees.

A few days ago, a young British man walked into the London branch of Govinda’s, the vegetarian restaurant run by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), and did something that shocked everyone. He sat down and pulled out a bucket of chicken from KFC, right in the middle of the pure-vegetarian, temple-affiliated space. To make matters worse, he offered the meat to one of the waitresses, who was visibly upset and asked him to leave.

In a now viral video, Iskcon devotees are seen chanting the lord's name as a response to the boy's act and spreading the message of choosing consciousness over rage.

The video of this act quickly went viral. For followers of ISKCON, who see food as a sacred offering to Krishna and maintain strict vegetarian standards, the prank wasn’t just offensive, it felt like a mockery of their beliefs. Eventually, the young man issued an apology, claiming he didn’t understand the religious significance of the place and admitting that his prank was poorly thought out.

A peaceful response

In a gentle yet powerful response, a group of ISKCON devotees did what they do best, they turned to music, love, and chanting. Instead of reacting with anger, they showed up outside a KFC restaurant and began singing the Hare Krishna mantra.

The viral video posted by Senapati Bhakta on X that followed was unlike anything you’d expect. The video's caption read, "They come to our restaurants to harass us, & we come to uplift their consciousness. Hare Kṛṣṇa." Two devotees, standing outside the fast-food chain, sang with calm smiles, inviting diners inside to chant with them. And many did. A few women joined in, holding hands and dancing in a circle inside the restaurant, turning the space into a joyful celebration of spirituality.

Spreading joy, not judgment

For ISKCON followers, chanting is not just ritual, it’s a way of connecting with others, sharing peace, and inviting compassion into everyday life. Rather than focus on the prank, they redirected the moment into a celebration of their values.

Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 02:05 PM IST