Krishnas pushing books in O'Hare

This article, "Krishnas pushing books in O'Hare" was published in Chicago Tribune, August 6, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois.

A YOUNG LADY in a white blouse end a kind of peasant dress approached a reporter near the American Airlines section at O'Hare International Airport and started to pin a carnation on his lapel. 

The reporter saw she had a small gold ring in her nose. He declined the carnation. She asked if he'd "help us out." He gave her a dollar. She gave him a Hare Krishna magazine. 

He asked if Hare Krishna people no longer wear saffron robes. 

"We used to wear orange but we found that was the color prostitutes wear," she answered. 

SEVERAL THOUSAND young Americans have joined this religious sect, sometimes to the distress of their families. It imposes a strict discipline. Members were recognizable in public by their exotic dress, their chanting, the men's shaved heads, painted faces, and flowing robes. 

Some who have left the sect report intense pressure to bring in money. O'Hare airport has been a favorite spot for many years. The airport guards and police can't bother them because the courts say they are protected under religious freedom, and they aren't selling. They ask donations. 

Two years ago we described some of their tactics, the worst of which was short-changing. Main victims were servicemen. The sect hired a public relations counsel who said any excesses or abuses would be stopped. 

One change has been in costume. The men in the crew now working O'Hare have stylishly long hair and wear conservative brown corduroy Levis and brown checked shirts. 

A MAN NAMED STEVE approached the reporter. "Read it over," he said, banding the reporter a book. "We're passing a few of these out. It kind of talks to us about how to slow things down. We all like to do that, you know what I mean? We usually get a donation...a few bucks." 

A Chicago policeman stood watching. The reporter asked about the O'Hare Krishnas. 

"We have hands off," the officer said. "I don't like ripoffs. Religious freedom, that's fine, but when I went up to one of them once he said, 'You interfered with my sale!'"

ONE SERVICEMAN gave the guy a $20 bill. He said he'd give him change. He counted off about five one's and then walked away. The soldier yelled, and he got more change. 

"I think religious matters should be in a church or temple or whatever, not at the airport." 

It is almost impossible for a serviceman, or any young single male, to walk through O'Hare without being beseiged. The Hare Krishna men approach their targets with a smile, usually calling the person "buddy." One Hare Krishna called "buddy, buddy, buddy" as a prospect approached, and then in a low voice, as the man walked past, "faggot." 

THE SECT SPOKESMAN at Sri Sri Krishna temple in Evanston is Euttama Shloka. "Usually newspapers present a perverted picture," he said. "They like to make people think we exploit and ruin their minds. 

"We are distributing books. These books are in every major university library in the country." 

"Read the philosophy and write something about self." 

Another spokesman, Gopal Bhatta, was asked about the change in attire. "It's a question of dressing according to time and place," he said. "You wear something different to work than you do around the house. don't you? Some men wear wigs, some don't. Most people are on the bodily concept of life. Ultimately you have a spirit. Unfortunately people judge you by the way you look. The American people are missing real insight in their lives. These books show what real spiritual life is." 

AT THE AIRPORT, a Hare Krishna approached a young man in Western clothing, pressed his hand, and handed him a book. The Westerner said thanks and walked away. 

The Krishna swung around and grabbed the book. The Westerner drawled, "I thought you were giving it to me." 

"I told you I'd give it to you to look at," the Krishna said. 

THE WESTERNER smiled. "Well, give it to me and I'll look at it again." 

The Krishna declined. The Westerner saw he was being watched, and he winked. "I've seen these jokers before," he grinned as he strolled away.