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ISKCON protests against demolition of temples in Kazakhstan

 

Kolkata, Nov 25 (ANI): Scores of International Society for Krishna

Consciousness (ISKCON) members held a protest rally here today against

demolition of temples in Kazakhstan and called for an immediate halt of

alleged harassment of Hindus in that country.

 

Protestors said at least five Hindu houses and a temple belonging to the

ISKCON were demolished on the outskirts of Almaty in Kazakhstan earlier this

week.

 

The protestors raised slogans condemning the action of Kazakhstan Government

and said India should raise the issue at the international level.

 

"The purpose of the rally is to show support and solidarity for all the

Hindus, who are suffering persecution and suffering government sponsored

attacks across cities in Kazakhstan," said Vardhakrishna Das, Vice

President, ISKCON.

 

"Our demand is that they are minorities, they are Hindus. In our country

also we have minorities and we are asking that on the basis of religion,

there should be no discrimination, persecution or atrocity in the society.

This is a very barbaric and inhuman practice and we are protesting against

this," Vardhakrishna added.

 

According to press reports, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has also

raised the issue with the Kazakhstan President during a meeting in London on

Wednesday.

 

A spokesperson of ISKCON alleged that the rights of dozens of Kazakh

citizens belonging to a religious minority were being violated.

 

ISKCON activists have been for quite some time now alleging the Kazakhstan

government for harassment and discrimination of Hindus.

 

In September, over one hundred members of a local Hare Krishna temple, the

Hindu-Jain Temple Association, and other Hindu organizations and interfaith

groups, had protested in front of the Kazakhstan embassy in Washington,

carrying a dozen placards that called upon the government in Kazakhstan to

stop the alleged "abuse and mistreatment" of innocent Krishna devotee,

Vaishnava Hindus, in that country.

 

A simultaneous protest had taken place in New York City. Following the

recent demolitions, protests were also organised at the London Stock

Exchange during President Nazarbayev's visit.

 

Kazakhstan is the largest and one of the wealthiest of the countries in the

Central Asian region. Although it was considered a liberal society, there

have been allegations of harassment of religious minorities like Protestant

Christians, non-state-controlled Muslims and Hindu sects.

 

Incidentally, Kazakhstan is not a signatory to the UN's International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or to the International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

 

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was established

in 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada). ISKCON

has since developed into a worldwide confederation of 10,000 temple devotees

and 250,000 congregational devotees.

 

Better known as the Hare Krishna movement, ISKCON is comprised of more than

350 centres, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide.

 

The mission of this non-sectarian, monotheistic movement is to promote the

well being of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness

according to Bhagavad-gita and other ancient scriptures. (ANI)