Russian court rejected ban on Bhagwat Gita

A Russian court on Wednesday rejected a petition seeking a ban on translation of Bhagavad Gita, bringing cheers to crores of Hindus across the world.

The petition in the Siberian city of Tomsk called Bhagvad Gita, one of Hinduism's holiest scriptures as "extremist literature" and said it promotes "social discord" and “hatred towards non-believers”.

Russian lawyers Mikahil Fralov and Alexander Sakhav argued vociferously against the petition.

The case filed by state prosecutors in Tomsk claimed that the renowned translation of the text, titled "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" is "extremist literature" and should join Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf in the list of banned books.

"Bhagavad Gita As It Is" -- first published in 1968 -- is a translation of and commentary on the original text by Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the international Hare Krishna movement, ISKCON.

The judge, after reviewing the petition from the state prosecutors and the responses against it, dismissed the plea.

"We have won the case. The judge has rejected the petition," Sadhu Priya Das of ISKCON, who is also the Chairman of newly formed Hindu Council of Russia said.

Reacting to the judgement, ISKCON spokesman Brajendra Nandan Das said in New Delhi that, "We are very happy".

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna welcomed the judgement and thanked the Russian government for its support.

ISKCON members have linked the court case to the Russian Orthodox church, which they claim wants to limit their activities in Russia.

The case had created a storm back in India. Speaking in Parliament, Krishna called the lawsuit "patently absurd". He had summoned the Russian Ambassador in New Delhi, Alexander Kadakin, on the eve of the court hearing and told him that Moscow should provide all possible help to resolve the issue.

He also conveyed to the Russian diplomat the sensitivities involved with the issue. Kadakin had assured Krishna that the Russian Government will do all it can within its power.

The trial began in June and was scheduled to conclude on December 19, just after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day visit to Russia.

However, officials in Tomsk agreed to hear further testimony from experts and the Russian ombudsman for human rights and postponed the court decision till today.

Russian court to decide on Hindu scripture Gita ban today

A Siberian court will on Wednesday pronounce its verdict in response to a petition moved by a group connected to the Christian Orthodox Church seeking a ban on sacred Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita.

The group wants the court to declare Bhagvad Gita an "extremist text".

New Delhi has already expressed its serious objections to the Christian Orthodox Church’s move to get Bhagvad Gita banned in Russia.

Ahead of the court hearing in Tomsk city, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna yesterday conveyed to Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin the country's concern over the "sensitive" issue, which has created an uproar in India.

Krishna told the Russian Ambassador that Moscow should provide all possible help to resolve the issue.

During the meeting, Kadakin assured Krishna that the Russian Government will do all it can within its powers.

"The External Affairs Minister conveyed the concerns of the Parliament of India and the people of India on the issue. The Russian side has been saying that it is a judicial process and that it will take all steps it can within its power (to resolve the issue)," the reports said.

Earlier, Russian Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin in his statement had declared that "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" written by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is a globally respected book.

He also stated that it was unacceptable to seek a ban on it in Russia.

Separately, at an emergency meeting Hindus from India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal and other countries residing in Russia have also set up the Hindu Council of Russia to defend their interests.