M A I N   N E W S

Day before verdict, India asks Russia to prevent ban on Gita
Ashok Tuteja/TNS

New Delhi, December 27
A day before a Siberian court delivers its verdict on a petition seeking to ban the Bhagvad Gita, India today conveyed to Russia its concerns over the “sensitive” issue.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna called Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin to the Hyderabad House this morning and told him that the Russian government must provide all assistance in the matter.

Drawing the Russian envoy’s attention towards the outrage in India over the move to ban the Bhagvad Gita, Krishna said the issue must be dealt with seriously in view of the sensitivities involved.

Kadakin is understood to have assured the minister that Moscow would do all it could within its powers to resolve the matter amicably.

“The External Affairs Minister conveyed the concerns of 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),” sources said.

This is the second time in four days that the Russian envoy has been called by the Ministry of External Affairs to convey the country’s concerns on the issue. Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai had called Kadakin last week in this regard.

After the meeting, the Russian envoy told reporters: “You understand that it is a court case but the Russian Government can do one thing. It can ask the people to express our love and admiration for Gita. That (assurance) you can get from anyone in Russia.”