Суд над Бхагавад-гитой / Attempt to ban Bhagavad-gita

the government of Russia should not forget that Russia is part of the larger human family and the world and the true history of humanity and its religion aspirations should be preserved and respected for universal justice to prevail.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/atheists-rationalists-oppose-ban-on-bhagwat-gita/articleshow/11221149.cms

rationalists oppose ban on Bhagwat Gita

The Atheists and Rationalists society of India, who in the past have publicly denounced Bhagwat Gita for being a racist text, have opposed its proposed ban in Russia. In June this year, a town named Tomsk in Siberia moved to court seeking a ban of the Russian translation of Bhagwat Gita, on the grounds that the Hindu religious text propagated extremism. The ban has been directed specifically towards the Gita written by ISKON founder A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The Russian court has directed the University of Kemerovo to read the text and come up with their findings. The suit filed by Tomsk Prosecutor Viktor Fedotov has also asked for the ban of religious group of International Society for Krishna Consciousness or ISKON.

"Bhagwat Gita promotes kin and kith violence, it promotes exploitation and ignorance, but still I will uphold the right of it being read," said Sanal Edamaruku President of Indian Rationalist Association. "Banning any form of literature is against the freedom of expression, even Gita which legitimises the caste system should be allowed to be read", feels Sanal.

"Gita is against the principles of Indian constitution, however banning is not the way to fight the reactionary, undemocratic message of Gita," feels Dr Jayagopal, founder of the Atheist Society of India. He suspects that the Russian Orthodox Christian Church is behind this proposed ban.

There are close to 15 thousand followers of the ISKON cult in Russia, the ban has been opposed by the expatriate followers of ISKON. The Bhagwat Gita ban created a furore in Indian Parliament as parties like BJP demanded the Indian government to take up the issue with Russian leaders. Foreign Minister SM Krishna had even asked his Russian counterpart to intervene in the matter.

Raj Mitter founders of the Tarksheel Society of India, also condemned the ban on the grounds that it is against freedom of expression. "Ambedkar had said religious books are against constitution, however no books should be banned", says Mitter. But he also thinks that if the people of Russia are offended by the text, than India should respect their sentiments.

But Dalit Marxist scholar ChittiBabu Padavala welcomed Russia's decision. "Gita is such a religious texts, unlike Bible or Quran where god mandates inequalities by birth, if Mein Kamph, burkha and female circumcision is banned in Europe, why not Gita which is worse than any of them", asks Padavala.

"The ban is not about freedom of expression or religion; it is about punishing fascist propaganda. "Hindu groups in the west are misusing multicultural space to spread fascism, and it is shameful that atheists and rationalists are succumbing to the Hindutva propaganda", Padavala says

However advocates of Bhagwat Gita rebut the charges that the text promotes violence and caste systems allege that the ban is proposed by people who have no knowledge of the book's wisdom. "Every word of Gita spreads peace", says Y Krishnamurthi of Gita Prachara Samiti. "Arjuna kills because as a Kshatriya it is his duty to kill", he explains. "Everyone must follow the duties given to their respective caste, one cannot expect the teacher to go and till the land," concludes Krishnamurti.

The Russian court on December 28th will announce its decision on ban's plea; meanwhile Indian foreign ministry is reportedly lobbying for preventing the ban in Russia.

Bhagavad-Gita is the song of God for the benefit of ALL mankind....SUCH A HOLY SCRIPTURE SHOULD NEVER BE BANNED!

Bahagavad-gita est un livre essentiel pour la paix et l'amour dans le monde. C'est un livre sacré qui doit être étudié avec le plus grand respect. nv

Please respect the holy Book Bhagwad Gita

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH SECT IS MISREPRESENTING KRISHNA AS EXTRIMIST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_Mif2mI3GE
The Bhawat Gita ban in Russia and debate the topic with art and living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar ji.
Сектоведы здесь названы "сектой РПЦ", и совершенно правильно! =-)
Дворкин теперь - не сектовед, а сам сектант!!!

СЕКТА РОСИЙСКОЙ ПРАВОСЛАВНОЙ ЦЕРКВИ ПОСЧИТАЛА КРИШНУ ЭКТСРЕМИСТОМ

Outrageous proposed ban on Gita
http://www.timesnow.tv/India/Outrageous-proposed-ban-on-Gita/videoshow/4391767.cms

Hare Krishna......Bhagavad Gita should be regarded as holy book in every human household.....and banding it is such a mundane act!!!!
OMG.....Krishna..........help us!!!

The ban on Bhagwad Gita is ridiculous. This one of the most valuable scriptures on earth is Universal Knowledge for which every human being deserves access to advance himself spiritually making him an exemplary human being in harmony with nature, himself, community, nation and the whole world.

gita is considered as a reference book in management in top universities. if russia bans gita, they will regret. without gita they can have only limited knowledge in the field of management.

Bhagavat Gita is the scripture which tell's the people how to live in this world.This book is fully accepted by billions of people for it's great messages.if Russian's have any problem with this book,then it surely by misunderstanding of the content in it.Otherwise nothing is problem in this holy book

The extremist people themselves r blaming the Bhagavad Gita to be extremist

i consider bhagavathgeetha is a scared book of hindus and even other religious people if read properly will know how effective it is in our date today life.it is too scarad to all

Bhagbat Gita is a holy book,it's a pride of indian culture.Noone could just ban it without having a proper and vital reason.

Bhagwad-Gita is for every living being in the earth planet.It does not see race,caste, nationality.

pls dont banned bhagavad gita ,its important 4 all

Such vedic scripture is boon for Human being not for below human. Therefore it has to be spread and to reach all human being in the World.

The Bhagavad Gita has been recognized as an important scripture for over 5000 years and has nothing to do with modern politics in Russia. My father was born in Ulan Ude,Siberia and I am unhappy to see the Russian Government taking seriously, the absurd and ignorant opinion of the individuals pressing these charges.

Hare krsna

pls accept this petition 4 banding gita on Russia