Press

Continuing persecution of Hindus in Kazakhstan alleged

New York, Feb 6 (IANS) The Central Asian country of Kazakhstan is continuing with its persecution of the Hindu community, according to the North America branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
 

Kazakh court orders confiscation of land used by Hare Krishna community

A court has ordered the confiscation of land used by Kazakhstan's Hare Krishna community, ruling in favor of local authorities in a legal dispute that Krishnas have called religious persecution, the community's spokesman said Wednesday.

Do-it-yourself demolition for embattled Hare Krishna commune?

Three more home owners have been served demolition notices, Hare Krishna sources told Forum 18 News Service. If they fail to demolish their own homes by 2 February, the authorities will do so and charge them for the cost. Thirteen Hare Krishna-owned homes were bulldozed last November, though other homes in the village owned by non-Hare Krishna residents have not been touched.

 

Kazakh government commission denies persecution of Hare Krishna followers

ALMATY, Kazakhstan: A Kazakh government commission on Friday ruled in favor of local authorities in a land dispute with the country's Hare Krishna community and dismissed the Krishnas' claims of religious persecution.

Kazakh MFA considers USA Embassy note inappropriate

Astana. January 5. Kazakhstan Today - The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan considers the U.S.A. Embassy in Astana note inappropriate in which the American diplomatic department expressed concern regarding pulling down of the constructions belonged to the members of the religious association the Society of Consciousness of Krishna, the Chairman of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Gaukhar Beyseeva informed today at the briefing in Astana, the agency reports.

Commission consider demolition of Krishna houses lawful

Astana. January 5. Kazakhstan Today - The commission on land disputes of the members of religious association Society of Consciousness of Krishna considers akimat (mayor office) of Karasay oblast of Almaty region decision and the decision of the courts of Karasay oblast and Almaty region regarding pulling down of unauthorized erected constructions and inexpedient use of the land valid and lawful. The commission Chairman, Vice President of the Committee informed today at the press conference.

KAZAKHSTAN’S KRISHNAS CRY FOUL AFTER HOMES BULLDOZED

Outside the shell of what was once a neat Kazakh village house, Radek Gaynanov gestures at a pile of rubble. "That used to be our bedroom," he says. Debris from the demolished ground floor spills onto the snowy lawn. 

KAZAKHSTAN: More Hare Krishna home demolitions planned?

After the fining and forcing out from Kazakhstan of a Baptist for taking part in an "illegal" bible study, the Hare Krishna community is preparing to face another court hearing – due on 25 December – Forum 18 News Service has learnt. Asked whether he expects the next five Hare Krishna homes to be bulldozed after 25 December, a senior state religious affairs official told Forum 18 that "we don't know what the court will decide, but I don't expect so." Previous state assurances given to the Hare Krishna community have been broken. Maksim Varfolomeyev of the Hare Krishna community told Forum 18 that the court hearing is "unlikely to be over all in one day, but it's just a matter of time. Our previous experience shows that the decision will not be in our favour," he commented. A state-appointed Commission today (22 December) presented what Krishna devotees describe as a "totally false" version of events, for use as a press release. Human rights activists, who observed the Commission's work, were devastating in their criticism of the way it operated. 

Concern over Kazakh religious row

From one angle it looks as if an earthquake has hit the village. From another, it is obvious that whatever the disaster, it picked its victims carefully.

KAZAKHSTAN: New threat to de-register partially demolished Hare Krishna community

In a new threat from Kazakhstan to the Hare Krishna commune it has partially demolished, moves appear to be underway to de-register the community Forum 18 News Service has learnt. During an "unofficial" visit to the commune by four regional religious affairs officials following orders from the capital Astana, highly intrusive questions were asked in an attempt to persuade the community to seek re-registration – even though there is no legal basis for this official demand. The commune's demolition has caused worldwide protests, even sparking a video montage of footage of the demolition and apparent remarks of the fictional character Borat.