Popular Indian rapper Badshah has strongly condemned a man who was seen eating chicken inside Govinda, a strictly vegetarian restaurant affiliated with ISKCON’s Radha-Krishna Temple in London. The incident, captured in a viral video, has sparked widespread outrage online.
The Provocative Act
The video, originally posted by user @JIX5A on X (formerly Twitter), shows the man entering Govinda and asking staff if the restaurant serves meat. When repeatedly told that it was a vegetarian establishment, he pulled out a box of KFC chicken and began eating it in front of stunned staff and patrons. He even offered pieces of meat to others in the restaurant, despite visible discomfort and protest.
The Govinda restaurant is known for its religious significance, being part of the temple premises and following strict vegetarian practices in line with Hindu spiritual traditions.
Badshah Responds: “True Strength is in Respect”
Reacting sharply to the video, Badshah posted on X:
“Even the chicken would be embarrassed. Dude wasn’t hungry for chicken, he was hungry for some (sandals) on that face. True strength is in respecting what you don’t understand.”
His comment echoed the sentiments of thousands who found the act not just disrespectful, but a deliberate attempt to provoke and offend a community’s beliefs.
Online Outrage and Condemnation
X users flooded the post with criticism. One wrote: “This is beyond disgusting. He walked into a sacred vegetarian space with intent, not hunger, but hate.”
Another said: “This just shows to what extent people have lost their way! No respect for anyone and anything.”
Calls were also made for police action, with one user tweeting: “Hope a complaint was filed. This is pure hate.”
While it is unclear whether any legal complaint has been lodged yet, there are growing demands for the man to be held accountable under UK’s hate crime laws.
The Larger Issue
This incident has reignited debates around religious sensitivity, freedom of expression, and respect for sacred spaces in multicultural societies like the UK. The man’s identity remains undisclosed at the time of publication.