Russia expresses sadness, says it's inadmissible that Bhagwad Gita's taken to court

New Delhi: In the wake of an uproar over a move to ban Bhagwad Gita in Siberia, Russia has expressed sadness over the development, saying it is “inadmissible” that a holy scripture is taken to court. “It is strange that such events are unfolding in the beautiful university city in Siberia, as Tomsk which is famous for its secularism and religious tolerance,” Alexander M Kadakin, Russian Ambassador in India said in a statement here. “Well, it seems that even the lovely city of Tomsk has its own neighbourhood madmen. It is sad indeed. “I consider it categorically inadmissible when any holy scripture is taken to the courts. For all believers these texts are sacred,” the Ambassador said. Kadakin said, “It is not normal either when religious books are sent for examination to ignorant people. Their academic scrutiny should be done at scientists’ fora, congresses, seminars, etc. but not in courts.” Earlier, India had strongly taken up the demand for banning Hindu scripture Bhagwad Gita, which a group linked to the Christian Orthodox Church has described as ’extremist’, with the Russian authorities, Indian Ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra said. “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,” Malhotra said, as the court in Tomsk postponed its ruling on the petition banning Bhagwad Gita as ’extremist’ and allegedly ‘sowing’ social-discord in Russia. [caption id=“attachment_160507” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“AFP”]  [/caption] Describing Bhagwad Gita as extremist, a group linked to the Christian Orthodox Church has demanded a ban on the holy book  due to conflict of interests between the Russian followers of Lord Krishna and the local authorities in the Siberian region of Tomsk. Malhotra personally and his mission  have 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. Malhotra has maintained regular, close contact with top ISKCON representatives in Moscow, besides attending the Janamashtami celebrations at the ISKCON temple on August 21, and visiting the ISKCON temple with Minister of Tourism Subodh Kant Sahay on September 24. Speaking in his capacity as the Chief Guest at last Janamashtami — the birthday of Lord Krishna — revered by the Hindus as Christmas by Christians, Malhotra called the Gita “perhaps the most important scripture that you can find in the world which through Lord Krishna’s message to Arjuna teaches us selfless service to God and humanity.” The translation by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is, I believe, one of the best that you can find, because he gives you the words, the meanings, and the options to understand it as it was written - not through any intermediaries,” he had said and allowed the defendants to produce his public remarks in their submission to the Tomsk Court. ISKCON, Moscow, was also informally suggested by the Indian Mission to hire the best legal representation in Tomsk, co-opt established Russian Indologists to provide affidavits or evidence during the Court’s proceedings. Meanwhile, ISKCON 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 the local Orthodox Christians and followers of Lord Krishna, Tomsk.ru city news portal reported India and Russia enjoy close diplomatic and defence ties and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from an annual visit to Moscow at the weekend. MPs demanded to know if he had raised the issue of the trial with Russian officials. The translation up for trial is called “Bhagwad Gita as It Is,” and is central to the global Hare Krishna movement. Members of the movement link the case against the text to the Russian Orthodox Church, which they claim wants to limit their activities. Dozens of Hare Krishna adherents in orange robes shouted slogans and danced outside the Russian consulate in Kolkata, a Reuters witness said. More than 20,000 people signed an online petition against the trial and the word Gita was one of the main Indian trends on Twitter on Monday. Last year, Russian prosecutors banned Adolf Hitler’s 1925 semi-autobiographical book ‘Mein Kampf’ in an attempt to combat the growing allure of far-right politics. Post Soviet Russia recognises freedom of religion and names four — Russian Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism — as the nation’s main religions. Other beliefs, particularly sects or groups that try to convert people, are sometimes subject to pressure such as court cases, efforts to break them up and limits on gatherings. India’s foreign minister will address Parliament on Tuesday about the government’s position with regard to the Bhagwad Gita case. Agencies