ISKCON in Jeopardy

The Hare Krishna Movement of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in recent times, has been shaken by repeated allegations of physical and emotional abuse. Read these news reports from The Times of India and post your comments on the Hinduism Message Board:

ISKCON admits sexual abuse of students
Washington, 14 June 2000: The Hare Krishna movement has acknowledged sexual abuse in their boarding schools after three dozen former students filed a multi million lawsuit against leaders of the religious order alleging years of physical and emotional torture. It said it was also working towards providing counselling and financial support to victims...more

ISKCON sued for alleged child abuse
Dallas, 13 June 2000: More than three dozen former students of Hare Krishna boarding schools filed a $400 million lawsuit against leaders of the religious community Monday, alleging years of sexual, physical and emotional torture. The 44 plaintiffs in the suit allege child abuse over two decades at boarding schools in the United States and India. The federal suit, filed in Dallas, names the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as lead defendant, along with 17 members of the group's governing board of top leaders and the estate of the movement's founder, A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...more

Bail plea of ISKCON vice-president rejected
Calcutta, 1 March 2000: The bail prayer of the vice-president of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Menegazzo Gianni, was rejected by a city court for the second time on Tuesday. Gianni, an Italian national, was arrested on February 26 on the charge of wilfully changing the purpose of his visit to India. It is alleged that he had come to India with a student visa but later changed his purpose of visit and started functioning as a vice-president of ISKCON at Mayapur, the headquarters of the organisation, violating provisions of the Foreigners Act…more