Press Trust of India
MOSCOW, 20 DEC: India has urgently taken up with Russian authorities the row over a demand in that country for banning Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, which a group linked to the Christian Orthodox Church has described as "extremist".
“The matter has been taken up by the Indian Embassy in Moscow with the Russian government at senior official level, seeking its favourable and positive intervention in the matter,” Indian Ambassador to Russia Mr Ajai Malhotra said, as a court in Tomsk postponed its ruling on a petition seeking a ban on Bhagwad Gita calling it "extremis"' and alleging that it was "sowing" social-discord in Russia.
Describing Bhagwat Gita as extremist, a group linked to the Christian Orthodox Church has demanded a ban owing to conflict of interests between the Russian followers of Lord Krishna and the local authorities in the Siberian region of Tomsk. Mr Malhotra personally and his mission here have been publicly expressed their support to the local chapter of International Society of Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon).
The final hearing in the Tomsk district court is scheduled for 28 December, as the court agreed to seek the opinion of the Russian Ombudsman on human rights in Tomsk region and of Indologists from Moscow and St Petersburg (all of whom favour dismissal of the case).
The case pertains to the legal relationship between a Russian registered socio-cultural organisation and the local authorities. Nevertheless, the Embassy in Moscow has been publicly supportive and sympathetic in the matter.
Mr Malhotra has maintained regular, close contact with top ISKCON representatives in Moscow, besides attending the Janamashtami celebrations at the Iskcon temple on 21 August, and visiting the Iskcon temple with minister of tourism Mr Subodh Kant Sahay on 24 September.
The Indian Mission has informally advised Iskcon, Moscow to hire the best legal representation in Tomsk, co-opt established Russian Indologists to provide affidavits or evidence during the court's proceedings.
The Iskcon, meanwhile, has shelved its plans to set up a community near a village in Tomsk region, which is believed to be the root cause of friction between local Orthodox Christians and followers of Lord Krishna, Tomsk.ru city news portal reported.
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=394013&catid=36
Comments