A viral video has triggered widespread outrage online after a man was seen eating chicken at an Iskcon-run vegetarian restaurant ‘Govinda’s’, despite clear instructions from the vendors that it was associated with a “temple”. The footage, which could not be independently verified by the TOI, captured the chaotic scene as the man held out a half-eaten piece of chicken to stunned diners before erupting into a loud chant of “Free the chicken!”The incident began with the man walking in and asking the shopkeeper, “Is this a vegan restaurant?” The shopkeeper replied, “Yeah.” Seeking further confirmation, the man pressed, “So there’s no meat, no nothing?” To which the staff reiterated, pointing to the sign board outside, “No meat, no onion, no garlic.”The shopkeeper, attempting to clarify further, added, “It’s a temple,” referencing the restaurant’s affiliation with Iskcon, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which follows strict vegetarian dietary practices in line with its religious beliefs.However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when the man, in what appeared to be a performative protest, suddenly took out a KFC bucket and started having chicken, leaving the vendors shocked. He went on to offer the fried chicken to other staffs and visitors before erupting into a loud cry of “Free the chicken!”“You are actually violating somebody’s religion,” a diner said.The netizens reacted to the video, with one user saying: “What should we call this? Racism or pure Hindu Hate?”“Man walks into Iskcon’s Govinda, a pure veg restaurant, checks if it’s vegetarian, then shamelessly stuffs his mouth with KFC chicken right on their counter! Staff, customers ask him to leave but he keeps on chewing – just for 2 extra followers on YouTube. Hindu hate or just vile behavior?” said another.
