Bhagavad Gita Ban in Russia – Nothing but Religious Intolerance

The attempt to get Bhagavad Gita banned in Russia is nothing but an example of religious intolerance and insecurity among certain elements in societies around the world who are unable to digest individual freedom, free thinking and diverse thoughts. Gita extols the individual to think and act in a manner that befits his/her Dharma. Gita does not ask anyone to follow a particular pattern of life neither does it support any group formation or religion. It’s a dialogue between Supreme Truth (represented by Sri Krishna) and man (represented by Arjuna). This dialogue has been taking place from time immemorial and will continue for ever. No ban can stop it.

The arguments put forwarded by Russian prosecutors to ban Gita are – it creates social discord; extremist in nature and hatred for other religious belief.

One can only laugh at the above arguments. Some reason challenging to human intelligence would have at least given some food for thought. These arguments sound childish - sorry children come up with better arguments.

A mirror is obscured by dust, just as the embryo rests deep within the womb, wisdom is hidden by selfish desire.

Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is.

Bhagavad Gita

The Gita Ban Issue in Russia

Bhagavad Gita is facing a legal ban and the prospect of being branded as extremist literature in Russia. A court in Siberia's Tomsk city is set to deliver its final verdict on Monday in a case filed by state prosecutors, which seeks ban on a Russian translation of ‘Bhagavad Gita As It Is’ written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).