BJP Punjab unit expresses outrage over Gita row in Russia

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit here has expressed outrage over the demand for banning the Bhagavad Gita in Russia and asked the Government to take up the matter seriously with their Russian counterpart.

Describing the holy text as defining treatises of Indian thought, BJP Punjab President Ashwani Sharma today said the demand for its ban had hurt Indian sentiments and would not be tolerated by the party.

"Bhagavad Gita represents the soul of India and its people. The demand for its ban in Russia has hurt Indian sentiments and will not be tolerated by us," he said.

Sharma further added, "Gita propogates religious tolerance and those terming it extremist are ignorant of its content. We want the Indian Government to take up the matter seriously with their Russian counterpart to stop any further insult to the holy text."

The final hearing on the issue is scheduled for December 28 in Siberia's Tomsk District Court.

India has termed the complaint against Bhagavad Gita in the Russian court as patently absurd and said it seemed to be the handiwork of some ignorant and misdirected or motivated individuals.