Swami’s image was used ‘by mistake’
THE International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) Durban has distanced itself from the use of a picture of their founder in an advert promoting a traditional healer.
The advert appeared in a national daily paper’s classifieds section on Tuesday this week.
It featured a picture of Swami Prabhupada, founder of the Hare Krishna movement, under the name of traditional healer Lord Pakhan.
The advert offers “African traditional healing” and claims to be able to help with spell casting, Indian healings, power over others, madness as well as love and relationships.
Iskcon’s legal adviser, Champakalata Dasi, said the organisation was “in no way associated” with any traditional healers or the advert.
“Our plan of action is to address the situation with all parties involved.”
She said Iskcon had contacted the individual who placed the advert, who informed them it was the newspaper’s mistake.
Speaking to the Sunday Times Extra, “Pakhan” said he was aware of the complaint but denied any wrongdoing.
He claimed it was “a mistake by the paper” and that the picture had since been changed. He added he had no idea how the picture of Swami Prabhupada came to be placed, and then ended the call.
The newspaper’s advertising manager said the material had been supplied by the client.