ISKCON monks demonstrate in front of Russian consulate

Monks belonging to ISKCON sect today staged a demonstration in front of the Russian consulate here decrying any move by a Siberian court to ban Bhagwad Gita across Russia.

Holding placards and posters and chanting 'Hare Rama, Hare Krishna' to the beating of drums and cymbals, nearly 100 monks of International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) appealed to all MPs to pass a resolution in Parliament condemning the action of a group linked to the Christian Orthodox Church which has moved a Russian court seeking a ban the holy book by describing it as 'extremist'.

"These initiatives of the Tomsk Prosecutor's office offend the religious sentiments of all followers of Hinduism and bring disgrace to the country of Russia," the ISKCON posters said.

"Gita, the holiest Hindu scripture, is facing a legal ban and the prospect of being branded as an extremist literature across Russia," they said.