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

Holy Gita waiting for verdict in Russia

RAMESH KUMAR SHARMA

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.
http://www.pravasitoday.com/holy-gita-waiting-for-verdict-in-russia