12-11-2005, 10:05 AM
Hindus condemn Russian Archbishop's comments against Krishna
December 10, 2005 17:04 IST
Several Hindu organisations worldwide have protested the reported comments of the Archbishop of Russian Orthodox Church against Lord Krishna and his opposition to the consturction of a temple in Moscow.
Archbishop Nixon in a letter to Moscow's Mayor Yuri Luzhkov made denigrating comments against Lord Krishna and further requested him to ban construction of a proposed Hindu temple in Moscow, Russia's Interfax news agency reported on November 30.
"Construction of the temple to Krishna offends our religious feelings and insults the 1000-year religious culture of Russia," Interfax quoted Nikon as saying.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is understood to have discussed the issue with President Vladimir Putin during their talks on December 6.
The repoted comments have raised the hackles of Hindu outfits. "We cannot believe that in this age of respect and multi-cultural co-existence, a leader of the Russian church chooses to make statements that are intolerant and disrespectful to 1 billion Hindus in the world," Kishore Ruparelia of the Defend Russian Hindus Campaign said.
"The motives for spreading such hatred are clear -- it is an attempt to discriminate and harass the Hindu community in Russia and stop them from building a temple," Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of Hindu Forum of Britain said.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad, UK, president Girdhari Bhan said, "In most countries of the world, the Hindu diaspora is law-abiding, integrated and productive. Archbishop Nixon should have considered the peaceful history of Hinduism before making such atrocious statements."
The Hindu Council of Australia and president of Hindu American Foundation also condemned the remarks.
December 10, 2005 17:04 IST
Several Hindu organisations worldwide have protested the reported comments of the Archbishop of Russian Orthodox Church against Lord Krishna and his opposition to the consturction of a temple in Moscow.
Archbishop Nixon in a letter to Moscow's Mayor Yuri Luzhkov made denigrating comments against Lord Krishna and further requested him to ban construction of a proposed Hindu temple in Moscow, Russia's Interfax news agency reported on November 30.
"Construction of the temple to Krishna offends our religious feelings and insults the 1000-year religious culture of Russia," Interfax quoted Nikon as saying.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is understood to have discussed the issue with President Vladimir Putin during their talks on December 6.
The repoted comments have raised the hackles of Hindu outfits. "We cannot believe that in this age of respect and multi-cultural co-existence, a leader of the Russian church chooses to make statements that are intolerant and disrespectful to 1 billion Hindus in the world," Kishore Ruparelia of the Defend Russian Hindus Campaign said.
"The motives for spreading such hatred are clear -- it is an attempt to discriminate and harass the Hindu community in Russia and stop them from building a temple," Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of Hindu Forum of Britain said.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad, UK, president Girdhari Bhan said, "In most countries of the world, the Hindu diaspora is law-abiding, integrated and productive. Archbishop Nixon should have considered the peaceful history of Hinduism before making such atrocious statements."
The Hindu Council of Australia and president of Hindu American Foundation also condemned the remarks.