MPs condemn move to ban Gita in Siberia

Members from all political parties in the Rajya Sabha, including the Congress and the BJP, joined hands in condemning the move in Siberia to ban Bhagwad Gita.

The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Tarun Vijay (BJP), who said the place of Bhagwad Gita, was like that of the Sun and the Himalayas. "Can you ban Sun and the Himalayas?" he asked.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said, "We are apprising the Russian Government. Their minister has expressed regrets."

Vijay said the issue has brought together all political parties of the country and wanted the government to talk to the Russian Government.

He lauded RJD chief Lalu Prasad and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for condemning disrespect to Gita.

Vijay said people like Albert Einstein had said that after he read Gita, everything seemed superfluous.

He wanted to know whether the issue was raised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his Russian counterpart during his recent Moscow visit.

Members from all the parties, including PJ Kurien (Cong) joined Vijay in condemning the move to ban Gita in Siberia.

SS Ahluwalia (BJP) said Parliament should pass a resolution which should be sent to the Russian Government against the move in Siberia.

Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan said the entire House associates and is one on the issue.