Russia is adamant to ban a Hindu holy book from their country, claiming that the text promotes extremism.
Indian MPs are outraged that the Bhagvad Gita could be banned from Russia.
State prosecutors in Tomsk, Siberia say that the holy book promotes social friction and believes that the book should be outlawed.
However, Russian embassy officials in Delhi told the BBC that they respected the text, which is put on a list that also includes Hitler’s Mein Kampf.
Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna labelled those who filed the complaint as “ignorant.”
He told the BBC, “The government has taken up the issue with the Russian government and Indian embassy officials are in touch with the officials of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).”
Several MPs demanded the Russian government must protect Hindu rights.
Bhartruhari Mahtab, leader of the Biju Janata Dal, told the broadcaster that “the religious rights of Hindus should be protected” and that the government should promote religious tolerance to Russian authorities through a variety of media.
However, Russian authorities say that they are saddened by the incident.
Alexander M Kadakin, Russian Ambassador in India, said in a statement, “It is strange that such events are unfolding in the beautiful university city in Siberia, as Tomsk is famous for its secularism and religious tolerance.”
The Bhagvad Gita is the basis of the Hare Krishna movement and many of its believers protested outside the Russian consulate in Calcutta.
