Hindus in Russia demand a construction of a state recognised temple in Moscow.

Construction of any Hindu temple in Russia’s capital will be a positive development: Kumar.

Notably, this is the first visit of PM Modi to Russia, after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.

Wrik Bhattacharya | HENB | New Delhi | July 8, 2024:: Abhay Kumar Singh, the only Indian-origin lawmaker in Russia, on Sunday said that  construction of a Hindu temple in Russia will be a positive development and it will be immensely welcomed by the Hindus living in Moscow.

Though there are ISKCON temples in Moscow and St. Petersburg and present Russia accommodates many unrecognised Hindu worship centres, Hindus in Russia are demanding a recognised construction of a big Hindu temple in Moscow in a backdrop of renewed Indo-Russian relationship.  According to Meta informatics, there are at least 79 Hindu groups in Russia, many of which are Krishna-consciousness groups. There are also some units of Vedanta Centres managed by the followers of Ramakrishna Mission. But, repression on Hindus on religious matters in Russia went as a shock early in many occasions.

“Construction of a Hindu temple in Moscow will be a positive development,” the Indian-origin lawmaker in Russia told the IANS during an exclusive interview.

He said that there are many Russians who have converted to Hinduism and they will immensely welcome the move if the Russian government takes steps for the construction of a temple in Moscow.

He said that unofficially, there are many temples in Russia and everyone knows this fact but officially constructing a temple in Moscow will be a big message for Hindutva.

“We must understand that Russia is not inclined to one particular religion. There are Christians who are in the majority, it also has an ample population of Muslims, Buddhists and other religions,” the lawmaker said.

There has been an increasing demand for constructing a temple in Moscow ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s to visit Russia to attend the 22nd India-Russia summit, scheduled on July 8 and 9. Notably, this is the first visit of PM Modi to Russia, after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. Demand for a Hindu temple in Moscow by Russian Hindus can feature in the Modi-Putin dialogue as apprehended.  

The Indian Community in Russia has reunited over a religious cause. The president of the Indian Business Alliance and the Indian cultural and national centre“ Sita” Sammy Kotwani expressed his intention to build the first Hindu temple structure in Russia’s Moscow.
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__Inputs from IANS and India Today.