ISKCON Spokesperson credits Lord Jagannath for Donald Trump's safety amid shooting incident

An ISKCON spokesperson, Radharamn Das, attributed former US President Donald Trump's narrow escape from an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania campaign rally to divine intervention by Lord Jagannath. According to Das, this divine protection was in return for Trump's support to the Jagannath Rathayatra festival 48 years ago.

Historical connection and spiritual significance

Radharamn Das highlighted that in July 1976, Donald Trump assisted ISKCON devotees in organizing the Rathayatra by providing his train yard for constructing the raths free of charge. This act of assistance coincided with the celebration of the Jagannath Rathayatra festival, a significant event in the Hare Krishna movement. Das emphasized that the recent attack on Trump during the festival's celebration this year underscores Jagannath's reciprocal protection towards Trump.

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During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, shots were fired at Trump, resulting in him being wounded in the right ear and causing blood streaks on his face. Despite the severity of the incident, Trump's campaign reported that he was in stable condition following medical attention. Reflecting on the attack, Trump expressed his realization of narrowly escaping a potential tragedy, attributing it to a momentary glance away from the crowd.

Investigation and security concerns

The incident prompted President Joe Biden to order a review of security protocols after a 20-year-old suspect used an AR-15-style rifle to fire at Trump from a rooftop. The Secret Service intervened swiftly, neutralizing the suspect after one person was killed and two others were wounded.

The association between Trump's involvement with ISKCON's Rathayatra festival and the recent assassination attempt has sparked discussions about divine intervention and spiritual beliefs. Radharamn Das's remarks underscore the spiritual significance attributed to events connecting individuals and their actions with celestial protection, resonating deeply within the ISKCON community and beyond.