Meeting with K. Padmanabhais, the advisor to the Prime Minister of India

Mr. Padmanabhais asked immediately about the legal situation of the property in Kazakhstan. Naturally this is something that comes up first with everyone we meet with, and the responses from both B.B. Govinda Swami (Coordinator of ISKCON in Central Asia) and Rati Manjari Dasi (Kazakh ISKCON's spokeswoman) are really sharp, to the point, and leave our hosts in no doubt that the Kazakh government is out of order.

Govinda Swami gave Mr. Padmanabhais a brief history of the Kazakh situation, and he was sympathetic and said he would speak with the Prime Minister, and also the Foreign Affairs Minister. He said he would also speak with Mr. Advani and see 'what is on his mind.'

Govinda Swami told Mr. Padmanabhais, 'The US Panel of Human Rights issued a condemnation of the Kazakh government's actions; Britain is also objecting. Now we want our motherland, India, to help.' Mr. Padmanabhais accepted this and seemed to appreciate very much Govinda Swami's delivery. As Mr.Padmanabhais finished watching the video, Swami said to him, 'You can strip away the name of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or whatever else you want to say, but when you're bulldozing houses and leaving women and children in the snow, that is a gross violation of the most basic human rights.'

Braja Sevaki, Indian ISKCON press secretary.