A representative of the MSR again spoke out against the construction of a Vedic center in Moscow, which caused an immediate reaction from the Russian Center for Societies for Krishna Consciousness

On March 3, the executive secretary of the Interreligious Council of Russia, Roman Silantyev, again stated in an interview with Interfax that “the activities of Hare Krishnas on Russian territory raise many complaints from traditional religious organizations” and that the Council does not intend to support the construction of a Vedic center. The reason for this statement was an appeal circulated in the press by spiritual leaders of India (representing more than a dozen different religious movements) to the mayor of Moscow with gratitude for allocating land to the Society for Krishna Consciousness for the construction of a temple (the appeal was dated February 26). This document, in particular, expresses the hope that “that the Interreligious Council of Russia will provide full support to the new center of Hinduism in Russia, which will set a worthy example of “unity in diversity” - the cornerstone principle of a healthy and harmonious multi-religious society.”

In this regard, R. Silantyev said: “Most likely, the spiritual leaders of India do not know that an unconventional, marginal form of Hare Krishnaism operates in Russia, very far from its true expression.” “In addition,” he added, “the Hare Krishna sect in Russia today is split into several directions, and therefore it is not entirely clear who has been asked to provide support."

R. Silantyev also referred to certain warnings regarding the danger of the “Hare Krishna sect” made by the Indian government to the Soviet Union about 20 years ago.

The MSR representative expressed bewilderment that among Indian leaders, “respected religious groups such as Catholics and Nestorians have put their signatures next to followers of totalitarian sects, in particular the Brahma Kumaris, and the pseudo-religious group of Bahais.” “We maintain contacts only with those interreligious associations in which there are only representatives of traditional religions,” concluded R. Silantiev.

In response to the statements of R. Silantyev, the Center for Krishna Consciousness Societies in Russia issued a statement , which, in particular, says:

“1. Mr. Silantyev’s public statements about the “marginality”, “unconventionality”, “sectarianism” of Russian followers of Vaishnavism (Hare Krishnaism), in addition to being offensive, also indicate his bias and incompetence... <...>

Mr. Silantyev, who is not a specialist in Hinduism, clearly rushed to make public assessments of the traditionalism of the Krishna consciousness society on behalf of such a representative body as the MSR, without first bothering to familiarize himself with a number of available expert opinions on this topic.

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1. Speaking about a certain split in the ranks of Russian Vaishnavism (Hare Krishnas), Mr. Silantiev again reveals his complete ignorance of the true state of affairs in our confession.

Today in Russia there is only one officially registered All-Russian religious organization of Vaishnavas, the “Center for Krishna Consciousness Societies in Russia,” which unites more than 100 temples and communities of Krishna consciousness throughout the country. In this regard, Mr. Silantyev’s bewilderment about “who is being asked to provide support” in the construction of the Krishna temple looks completely ridiculous.

1. Mr. Silantyev's report about a certain demarche by the Indian government against the Krishna consciousness movement in Russia 20 years ago is complete disinformation.

2. Mr. Silantyev’s statement about “claims” to the activities of the Hare Krishnas in Russia “from traditional religious organizations” can negate the entire experience of interfaith dialogue between Hinduism and other faiths of Russia, in particular, Orthodoxy, Islam and Buddhism, and also provoke manifestations of aggression, national and religious extremism towards followers of our faith in Russia - both Russians and Indians.

It is especially outrageous that such statements are heard during the days of and from the lips of one of the organizers of the Second Interreligious Peacemaking Forum of the Commonwealth - a forum designed to serve the strengthening of interreligious and interethnic peace and the fight against xenophobia and religious extremism.

1. Mr. Silantyev expressed open disdain for the opinion of the leaders of the main religious movements of India, who turned to the MSR with a humble request for support for the construction of a Krishna temple in Moscow to replace the premises subject to demolition on Khoroshevskoye Highway. At the same time, he referred to the presence among the leaders who signed the appeal of representatives of several religious organizations that are not recognized as traditional in Russia.

We regard this step by Mr. Silantiev as a manifestation of religious chauvinism..."

“In this regard,” the document further says, “the Center for Krishna Consciousness Societies in Russia:

1. demands from Mr. Silantiev an apology to the Hare Krishnas (Vaishnavas) of Russia and a reconsideration of his position regarding the ancient and respected religious tradition of Hinduism that we represent;

2. hopes that his incompetent statements regarding Hinduism in general and the Russian Vaishnava faith in particular do not reflect the opinions of the Interreligious Council of Russia itself;

3. expresses hope for mutual understanding and cooperation with the Interreligious Council of Russia for the benefit of interfaith peace and harmony in our country and for strengthening friendship between India and Russia."

In response to a statement by the Center for Krishna Consciousness Societies, R. Silantyev said that neither the Orthodox Church nor the MSR opposes the Indian diaspora. “If members of the Indian community really want to build a Hindu temple in Moscow, then the Interreligious Council of Russia is ready to help them, provided that they do not delegate their powers in the religious sphere to a marginal sect, but invite a native brahman from India (a representative of the priestly class), which would represent one of the traditional Hindu organizations,” said the head of the MSR.

R. Silantyev also recalled that the Interreligious Council had already expressed its readiness to assist the Moscow Sikh community.

The main criterion for the “traditionality” of an Indian religious organization, according to R. Silantiev, is “the renunciation of aggressive missionary activity among the non-Indian population.” The Krishna Consciousness Society, the head of the MSR believes, creates “a serious threat not only to inter-religious peace, but also to basic law and order.”

“The Interreligious Council of Russia does not intend to react in any way to the appeals of the Hare Krishnas and their defenders and calls on them not to waste time and energy,” R. Silantyev summed up his speech.

The point of view of the Interreligious Council of Russia is shared by the leading specialist in the field of religion at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Pavel Puchkov, who stated that “Russian Hare Krishnas are a marginal sect that has no relation to traditional Hinduism.”

Sources

• Foundation "For Interreligious Harmony and Peace" about the Krishna Temple in Moscow // Krishna.ru. 2004. February 26.
• The Interreligious Council of Russia will not support the construction of the Krishna Temple in Moscow // NEWSru.com. 2004. March 3.
• DOCUMENT: Statement of the Center for Krishna Consciousness Societies in Russia // Portal-Credo.ru. 2004. March 4.
• MSR will support the construction of a Hindu temple in Moscow, but without the participation of Hare Krishnas // Religion and Society. 2004. March 10.