A family of nine visitors has alleged that they were mistreated at the Mayapur ISKCON complex in West Bengal after asking a guide to speak in Bengali, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin Digital. The report said a video related to the incident was circulating on social media, but its authenticity had not been independently verified.
The alleged incident reportedly took place on 7 October, when the family visited Mayapur. The family included a daughter, son-in-law and two children who live in Australia. According to the report, the family members were visiting Bengal together and went to the ISKCON complex as tourists.
The family reportedly purchased bhog prasad coupons at Gadabhavan, paying Rs 50 per person for all nine visitors. They then engaged a person to show them around the complex. The family alleged that the person spoke in Hindi and became upset when they requested Bengali because the children understood Bengali and English but not Hindi.
According to the family’s account, the guide allegedly refused to speak in another language and asked them to leave. The visitors then decided to report the matter to the ISKCON office. Security personnel allegedly directed them to the office, where they first spoke to an individual who reportedly said that an apology would be appropriate if a mistake had occurred and asked them to send any video evidence so that it could be forwarded to senior authorities.
The family further alleged that another individual arrived during the exchange and spoke to them in an insulting manner. The report attributed to the visitors a statement that the person asked what language they wanted used and said he would communicate with the others in that language. The visitors said they wanted to submit a complaint and speak to senior officials.
The family also alleged that, while leaving the office, one person attempted to assault them and that they were pressured to delete the video shared on social media. The visitors said the security guards behaved politely towards them. They subsequently left the Mayapur ISKCON premises.
The report said the video had gone viral but stressed that Sangbad Pratidin Digital had not verified its authenticity. It also said that ISKCON authorities had not issued a response at the time of publication. The identities and organisational affiliations of the people accused in the family’s account were not established in the supplied report.
The episode, if verified, would raise questions about how large religious and tourist facilities handle multilingual visitors, complaints and staff or guide accountability. The supplied report does not establish whether the alleged individuals were employees, authorised guides, volunteers, contractors or unrelated persons. It also does not state whether a police complaint or formal institutional inquiry was filed.
The visitors have reportedly sought appropriate action. Further reporting would require authentication of the video, confirmation of the individuals involved, and a response from Mayapur ISKCON or the relevant authorities.
