A video showing a man consuming fried chicken inside the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)’s Govinda restaurant in London — a space strictly adhering to vegetarian dietary principles — has sparked widespread criticism online. The footage, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, captures the man, believed to be of African-British origin, entering the Govinda eatery and enquiring whether they serve meat.
In the clip, the man is heard asking, “Hi, is this a vegan restaurant?” A staff member replies, “Yes.” He then confirms, “So, there’s no meat – nothing here?” To which she clarifies, “No meat. No onion. No garlic.”
Hatred for Hindus is real!
An African-British youth brought KFC chicken into ISKCON’s vegetarian Govinda’s restaurant in London, eating & offering it to others.
Would he dare do this with pork in a Muslim-owned restaurant? pic.twitter.com/RUCUJbzjZQ
— Treeni (@TheTreeni) July 20, 2025
Despite the clear statement of the restaurant’s food policy, the man proceeds to pull out a KFC bucket and starts eating fried chicken at a table within the premises. He is also seen offering the food to other diners and staff, drawing sharp responses from customers.
One patron intervenes, stating, “Excuse me, what you are doing is violating the rules of this place, and it is not fair.” The man’s behaviour continues to disturb the environment until security is summoned and he is escorted out.
ISKCON India’s Spox Calls It ‘Hate Crime’, Netizens Slam ‘Hinduphobia’
The incident triggered strong reactions online, with many users viewing the act as a targeted provocation against Hindu beliefs.
“This is unacceptable and hope the authorities would do the needful with this culprit. No one is forcing him to be a vegetarian but to come into a Hindu establishment with the intent to offend the community and devotees is purely a hate crime,” ISKCON India’s spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das posted.
This is unacceptable and hope the authorities would do the needful with this culprit.
No one is forcing him to be a vegetarian but to come into a Hindu establishment with the intent to offend the community and devotees is purely a hate crime. https://t.co/8h3TNue03A
— Yudhistir Govinda Das (@yudhistirGD) July 20, 2025
Another pointed out the breach of lacks basic decency: “Seriously, this is not just disrespectful, it’s a hateful provocation. Strict action should be taken against such insensitive behavior. Every time the topic of civic sense comes up, Indians are mocked globally but incidents like this show who truly lacks basic decency. This wasn’t just a random act; it was a direct attempt to mock Hindu beliefs and target devotees in a space. Religious sentiments of any faith deserve respect. If such behavior had taken place at any other religious or cultural site, there would’ve been a global outrage. Selective silence on such issues is pure hypocrisy.”
An African-British man was seen entering ISKCON’s Govinda’s restaurant, a pure vegetarian outlet and deliberately showing off KFC chicken to people inside.
Seriously, this is not just disrespectful, it’s a hateful provocation. Strict action should be taken against such… pic.twitter.com/JdyMnGm3ar
— sshuklaa (@Picassaa24) July 20, 2025
Others condemned the act as ‘hindupbohia’. “Western lectures on ‘inclusivity’ & ‘religious freedom’ fall flat when an African-British youth walks into ISKCON’s pure veg Govinda restaurant, knowingly eats KFC chicken & mocks the space. it’s targeted hate and hindupbohia, Imagine the outrage if roles were reversed,” a user remarked.
Western lectures on ‘inclusivity’ & ‘religious freedom’ fall flat when an African-British youth walks into ISKCON’s pure veg Govinda restaurant, knowingly eats KFC chicken & mocks the space.
it’s targeted hate and hindupbohia, Imagine the outrage if roles were reversed! pic.twitter.com/3yCwlj3q6Q
— HimaniSood (@Himani_Sood_) July 20, 2025
While the incident continues to draw global attention, ISKCON and local authorities have not yet issued official statements regarding the matter.
