New Delhi: BJP on Wednesday urged Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to intervene in the move to ban the Bhagvad Gita in Russia saying that the move will impact negatively on the people to people relationship between India and Russia.
A BJP delegation presented a letter alongwith a english copy of Bhagvad Gita to Deputy Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov at Russian Embassy here.
“Overseas friends of BJP, the external affairs wing of BJP, the Principal Opposition party of India would like to express its outrage and condemnation at the move by a Russian national in Tomsk, Siberia, seeking a ban on the Hindu religious scripture book the Bhagvad Gita,” the party said in the letter.
“The sentiments of millions of Hindus all over the world are grievously hurt. Our body and soul are bruised. We strongly urge upon the government of Russia to ensure the dismissal of the case in the larger interest of sound Indo-Russia relations,” BJP added.
The party said India consider Russia to be a friendly country. Both the countries have for decades cooperated in the field of science and technology, education, defence, space technology, nuclear power, trade and business, history and culture and international diplomacy.
BJP further said the Bhagvad Gita preaches self discipline. It was a book with sublime thoughts and practical directions on yoga, action and devotion. It does not promote extremism. It promotes spiritualism and teaches to the mankind the need to fulfill responsibility towards worldly duties.
“The significant passages of Gita are Lord Krishna’s instructions to Arjun on the nature of correct actions and the role of God in protecting his devotees,” the party stated.
BJP requested the Russian government to take a strong note of the people’s beliefs and urged the Russian President to intervene in the matter and restore the confidence of India and its people in the secular and democratic fabric of Russia.
Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin yesterday denounced the “neighbourhood madmen” who are seeking a ban on the Bhagvad Gita in Siberia and underlined that Russia is a secular country where all religions enjoy equal respect.
The BJP delegation included senior party leaders Vijay Jolly, Ram Lal, Smriti Irani, Bal Apte and Kedarnath Sahni. (UNI)