When Donald Trump Helped ISKCON Hold the New York Rath Yatra in 1976 | Decline

Last Update:28 November 2024 12:30 IST

In July 2024, when Trump survived an assassination attempt against him during an election rally in Pennsylvania, ISKCON described it as divine intervention in return for his support of the organization.

Donald Trump helped ISKCON in 1976, when he was a young real estate mogul in his 30s. (Image: PTI, ISKCON)

Bangladesh is reportedly considering a possible ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) following the arrest of the group’s leader and Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu. ISKCON is now pinning its hopes on US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump to make things better for them.

Also Read: Will Bangladesh Ban ISKCON After Arrest of Hindu Monk? Tracing the History of the Global Religious Body

ISKCON had praised Trump for condemning violence against Hindus in Bangladesh in November. “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians and other minorities, who have been attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in complete chaos. This would never have happened on my watch,” Trump wrote on X.

In July 2024, when Trump survived an assassination attempt on him during an election rally in Pennsylvania, ISKCON issued a statement: “The world’s problems, including broad political differences, cannot be solved by violent rhetoric or actions. “We believe that according to the law of karma, violent actions only lead to more violence and more suffering.”

The organization talked about how Trump helped them in 1976, when he was a young real estate mogul in his 30s. ISKCON says Republican candidate’s narrow run is Lord Jagannath repaying favor to Trump For what he did in 1976.

In 1976, ISKCON encountered significant obstacles in organizing the first Rath Yatra on Fifth Avenue. After numerous refusals from property owners, Trump agreed to provide free space for chariot construction, marking a pivotal moment for the festival. “ISKCON is very grateful that a real estate development company associated with the former president has provided this opportunity,” the organization said in a statement in June. he said.

“…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,” ISKCON India Vice President Radharamn Das said in a post on X.

ISKCON now hopes that Trump will come to their rescue once again when he is inaugurated as US President in January. Speaking to India Today, Das said that the situation in Bangladesh is out of their control and they hope things will get better after January 20, when Trump takes office as US President.