http://www.pravasitoday.com/holy-gita-waiting-for-verdict-in-russia...............
Not only 15,000 strong Indian community and 0.1 million strong ISKCON
community in Russia but also the Russian citizens, in general, are
stunned and waiting for the Tomsk court's verdict over a plea to ban
the Holy Gita
The Russian version of Prabhupada's commentary on Gita 'Bhagwad Gita
As It is' has been read, chanted and quoted there since the last two
decades. As a favourite with Leo Tolstoy, the Indian holy book Gita
has always been respectfully reviewed by the Russian scholars. Not
only Gita but Indian scriptures, in general, are accepted and studied
with keen interest by the Russians. Pushkin imbibed love for Ramayana
while Tatyana Elizerankova, the famous Russian Indologist, was drawn
to Vedas. Therefore a citizen of Russia is not able to understand the
logic behind litigation to ban Gita moved in a Siberian city Tomsk in
June 2011 which is moved by the Tomsk Public Prosecutor Victor
Fyodotovo at the persuasion of local church.
It is really cumbersome even to believe that there might be any reason
to ban the Bhagavad Gita or its translation which is most widely read
throughout the world. Gita's 80 million copies in 80 languages are, at
present, covering the entire Earth surface. 'Not just a book, truly
the life' has been the expression of eminent personalities like
Einstein and Schopenhauer for Gita. Then how it is extremist
literature and calls for hostile activities against any social or
religious group, this self originating question nowadays have inspired
many people to read Gita and particularly ponder over the passage from
Prabhupada's 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' quoted in the complaint, which
is as follows –
"Those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not practise
them regularly are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, befooled
and doomed to ignorance and bondage."
The Tomsk court was set to pronounce its final verdict on 19th
December 2011 in this case. But verdict pronouncement has been
suspended till 28th December. Earlier too, the hearing was postponed
as the judge Galina Butenko observed that the evidence cited was
insufficient for the case and referred the matter to experts from the
Kemerovo State University.
The Hindu studies expert Boris Falikov feels that the charge was
absurd and says, "The translation and comments made by Swami
Prabhupada was called extremist because the quotes were taken out of
context." According to him the plea to ban Gita has no scientific
foundation and using such a nonscientific approach, somebody can call
the Quran or the Bible extremist literature.
Here, in India, the Mumbai High Court hearing public interest
litigation has asked central government to consider representation in
Russia regarding Gita ban case and External Affairs Minister SM
Krishna, on 20th December, assured Parliament that India has asked
Russia to resolve the Bhagavad Gita controversy. The same day Russia
expressed sadness over the move to ban Gita in Siberia.
"Russia, as it is known to anyone, is a secular and democratic country
where all religions enjoy equal respect. Even more applicable it is to
the holy scriptures of various faiths – whether it is the Bible,
Quran, Torah, Avesta or, of course, Gita – the great source of wisdom
for the people of India and the world," Alexander M Kadakin, Russian
Ambassador in India, said in a statement here.
Kadakin expressd wonder, "It is not normal when religious books are
sent for examination to ignorant people. Their academic scrutiny
should be done at scientists' forums, congresses, seminars etc. but
not in courts." He opined firmly, "I consider it categorically
inadmissible when any holy scripture is taken to the courts."
Whatever be, now, when the hearing over the "inadmissible" petition is
almost complete, the entire world is curiously waiting for the Tomsk
court verdict on Gita ban case set to be pronounced on 28th December.
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