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

Political unity over Gita: A historic day in our times
Dec 20, 2011, 03.42pm IST

By: Tarun Vijay

When I congratulated Lalu ji, Mulayam Singh ji, Sharad Yadav ji, Mahtab ji along with the Congress leaders Arun Kumar ji and Pawan Bansal ji with our stalwarts like Joshi ji and hokum Dev Narayan ji, in a media briefing in Parliament yesterday media persons were surprised. Thery all spoke in one voce against ban on Gita in Russia and I said that such national issues should not be a matter of concern for any single party or organization.It involves us all Indians and it's a great day for us that Gita issue was taken up so vigorously by all, cutting across the party lines with the sole exception of the Left.


It was not just a Hindu issue. The honour of the nation and her people, the civilizational heritage of India and the cultural ethos that gave the world its best gift in the form of Gita , the ultimate message of karma, pluralism and universal values for a noble society, was at stake. And hence it was a day when India rose in one voice, as one people and one culture.

Let the chroniclers write this day as a golden day in our history when all differences were deleted to express solidarity for Gita, the book of India.

The anguish and the angst of the people of India on the move to ban Gita in Russia was best expressed by Lalu Prasad, Sharad Yadav , Mulayam Singh and Arun Kumar Vundavalli in the Loksabha on 19th December.

It was such a historical occasion that the entire house immediately took up the issue raised by a senior BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab. He said through a special mention that 'the religious rights of the Hindus in Russia should be protected. Curiously, the State Prosecutor had referred the scripture to Tomsk State University for an expert examination. This university is not qualified as it lacks Indologists who study history, culture, language and literature of the Indian subcontinent. As this case is inspired by religious bias and intolerance from a majority religious group in Russia, I would like to urge upon the Government to impress upon their Russian counterpart so that their right to practice their religion and belief is upheld. Gita does not preach hatred. Indian Embassy in Moscow should intervene through diplomatic channels immediately.'

Lalu Yadav demanded a discussion and stern action against the Russian authorities. Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Dr Harin Pathak supported and voiced serious concern. The uproarious scenes followed when members demande a discussion and the speaker had to adjourn the house till 2 pm with a promise to allow the discussion. Mulayam Singh was first to rise to the occasion brilliantly and he said-Gita is a universal book accepted by the world which guides to be a better human being and work for the good of the society. It's a classic that teaches honesty and how to lead a sacred life. Gandhi ji used to read Gita daily and most of his speeches were based on the teachings of Gita. He wanted to build our nation on the message of Gita. But the government has not taken Gita seriously and all parties will accept this fact. Government has not taken any step to propagate Giya amongst the people of the nation.

I request the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to make this government take steps to so that teaching Gita from the primary classes to the University level in this country becomes a possibility. Chairperson madam, please do something so that he students of our country begin studying Gita. Once this happens, the dream of Gandhi ji would be realized and the people would understand the core message of Gita making a better nation. All should condemn whatever the attorney in Siberia has said about Gita. I appeal that the entire House must condemn that statement (against (Gita).

The inimitable Lalu Prasad said-Insulting Gita is insulting Krishna. A big conspiracy is being hatched against Lrd Krishna. Politicians base their life inspired with themesage of Gita.The Parliament is on and still no word has come from the government on the issue of banning Gita in Russia. Government is keeping a silence. We wouldn't tolerate this. We condemn this incident on behalf of the whole House. We will not tolerate this(ban on Gita). We will take revenge of this insult and punish (the govt) too if they don't take any action. Recently prime Minister had gone on a Russia tour. Did he speak to them about this matter? All that we want to say is that we wont tolerate the insults to Lord Krishna. Bol Shri Krishna Bhagwan ki jai- Hail the glory of Lord Krishna).The entire House cheered him. ( I am quoting them as I heard them or got uncorrected copies, hence I stand for corrections if anyone brings to my notice ).


Sharad Yadav eloquently said-the issue affects millions of people. The government must take some immediate action to change the illogical decision (of banning Gita). This is the wish of the people of this nation.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-12-20/news/30538027_1_gita-ji-sharad-yadav

Political unity over Gita: A historic day in our times
Dec 20, 2011, 03.42pm IST

Arun Kumar Vundavalli (Congress, Andhra) gave a scholarly speech on the importance and the universal message of Gita for the good of entire mankind. He quoted many shlokas of Gita in chaste Sanskrit to th delight of all. Shri Satpal Maharaj (Congress, Uttarakhand) was chairing the proceedings and he also , from his chair, quoted many Gita shlokas to drive home the message of humanity as described in the Gita. Hukum Dev Narayan (BJP) in his impressive presentation demanded that the House must pass a unanimous resolution condemning the Russian decision to ban Gita.

Pawan Kumar Bansal, Minister of parliamentary affairs rose to assure the House that Foreign Minister S M Krishna will give a statement on the issue tomorrow. He agrees entirely with the feelings of the House.


The stunned and speechless Talibanised seculars saw this unity with awe and would like to see some politics in it. Some even floated the idea that it's the Yadav unity taking over Hindu solidarity. I beg to differ strongly. It's the quintessential Hindu spirit, the Indian core values that cannot submerged under any tsunami. Why should any single organization or ideology be allowed to speak and act singlehandedly on such issues? Let us differ on thousand issues, on policies, programmes and actions, but there must remain some issue that binds is all as Indians and that factor would be the defining one for our Tricolour and the Constitution.

If any classic can be truly termed as the best gift of India to the world, it's Gita. Vinoba Bhave wrote a wonderful book on Gita in Marathi, called Geetai meaning Mother Gita, and its as popular in every Maharashtrian household as Tulasi's Ramcharitmanas is amongst the Hindi world. Its ironical that when the controversy was making headlines all over, our Prime minister was in Moscow and he didn't broach the subject with the highest authorities there. Millions across the globe, all religionists and races, have read Gita. The greatest minds ever borne on this planet were inspired by its contents and have commented on its message. I am quoting only a very few here