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In July 2024, when Trump escaped an assassination attempt at him during an election rally in Pennsylvania, ISKCON had called it divine intervention in return for his favour for the organisation.
Donald Trump had helped ISKCON in 1976, when he was a young real estate mogul in his 30s. (Image: PTI, ISKCON)
Bangladesh is reportedly looking at a possible ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) after the arrest of the group’s leader and Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu. ISKCON now has its hopes pinned on US Presidential Designate Donald Trump to make things better for them.
Also Read: Will Bangladesh Ban ISKCON After Hindu Monk’s Arrest? Tracing History Of Global Religious Body
ISKCON had praised Trump in November when he had condemned the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch,” Trump had posted on X.
In July 2024, when Trump escaped an assassination attempt at him during an election rally in Pennsylvania, ISKCON had issued a statement saying, “The problems of the world, including vast political differences, cannot be solved by violent rhetoric or acts. Violent acts, we believe, per the law of karma, only yield more violence and more suffering.”
The organisation had mentioned how Trump had helped them in 1976, when he was a young real estate mogul in his 30s. ISKCON said that the Republican candidate’s narrow escape was Lord Jagannath returning the favour to Trump for what he did in 1976.
In 1976, ISKCON faced significant obstacles in organising the first Rath Yatra on Fifth Avenue. After numerous rejections from property owners, Trump agreed to provide space for chariot construction for free, marking a pivotal moment for the festival. “ISKCON is very grateful that a real estate development company connected with the former president did provide that opportunity,” the organisation had said in June.
“…Exactly 48 years ago, Donald Trump saved the Jagannath Rathayatra festival. Today, as the world celebrates the Jagannath Rathayatra festival again, Trump was attacked, and Jagannath returned the favor by saving him,” Radharamn Das, Vice President of ISKCON India, said in a post on X.
ISKCON is now hoping that Trump will come to their rescue once again as he takes over as US President in January. Das, speaking to India Today, said the situation in Bangladesh was beyond their control and they are hoping for things to get better after January 20, when Trump takes over as US President.
