In a spiritual yet striking form of protest, ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) devotees were seen chanting the Hare Krishna mantra outside a KFC outlet, days after a viral prank video stirred controversy by showing a British YouTuber eating chicken inside an ISKCON temple restaurant.
The video showed the YouTuber reportedly of African descent and based in London deliberately entering the strictly vegetarian ISKCON establishment and consuming KFC chicken. Despite repeated warnings from the restaurant’s staff, the act was carried out as part of an online prank, sparking massive outrage within the Hindu community and beyond.
“They come to our restaurants to harass us, & we come to uplift their consciousness. Hare Kṛṣṇa,” wrote one ISKCON follower on X while sharing a clip of the protest.
They come to our restaurants to harass us, & we come to uplift their consciousness. Hare Kṛṣṇa pic.twitter.com/7dQm5D42qx
— Senāpati Bhakta (@bhaktSenapati) July 22, 2025
“Coolest Revenge”: Internet Applauds Spiritual Response by ISKCON Devotees
Rather than reacting with hostility, ISKCON members responded with spiritual upliftment. In a now-viral video, a group of devotees gathered outside a KFC outlet, singing and dancing to the Hare Krishna mantra. They encouraged KFC employees and onlookers to join in, promoting peace and spiritual consciousness in the face of disrespect.
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“In this Age of Kali, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord. There is no other way. No other way. No other way,” an ISKCON member wrote, reinforcing the faith’s inclusive message — that all, regardless of their background or diet, can be spiritually uplifted.
Online users hailed the act as a “wonderful way to protest,” with one comment stating, “Though KFC didn’t do it directly, an insane customer did. But the message was delivered.”
Following the backlash, the YouTuber issued an apology, saying, “If I had known that the restaurant was with the temple, I would have never filmed that prank and left. I stepped over the line and began to eat chicken in a vegan restaurant which was associated with the Hindu community. My actions were ill-timed and irresponsible.”
