BJP gifts Bhagvad Gita for Russian president

The Bhartiya Janata Party's external affairs wing organised a demonstration at the Russian embassy in Delhi on Wednesday and handed over a memorandum addressed to President Dmitry Medvedev to the country's deputy ambassador, expressing outrage at a move in Tomsk to seek a ban on the Bhagvad Gita.

The memorandum said the sentiments of millions of Hindus all over the world have been grievously hurt and hence the Russian government should ensure the dismissal of the case "in the larger interest of sound Indo-Russia relations."

"We wish to state that the Gita preaches self-discipline and not violence. It is a book with sublime thoughts and practical direction on yoga, action and devotion. It does not promote extremism but spiritualism and teaches the mankind the need to fulfil one's responsibility towards worldly duties," the memorandum said.

The delegation was led by BJP organising general secretary Ram Lal, senior party leader Kedarnath Sahani and Members of Parliament Bal Apte and Smriti Irani. They presented an English version of the Gita for the Russian President, so that he can understand why the ancient text is a " great source of wisdom for the people of India and the world."