KAZAKHSTAN PERSECUTES HINDUS
(21 November 2006)

Prime Minister Tony Blair raised the subject of harassment of Kazakh Hindus with the President of Kazakhstan in a meeting at Downing Street today even as 60 riot police and bull dozers assembled inside a Hindu temple in Kazakhstan and demolished five Hindu houses. The Kazakh Government is planning to bulldoze a Hindu temple tomorrow in the Karasai District as British Parliamentarians led by Ashok Kumar MP launched a campaign to save Kazakh Hindus and tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons.

The EDM read: “This House, prior to the visit of the President of Kazakhstan, condemns the harassment of and discrimination against Hindu minorities in Kazakhstan; notes that Hindus in the Karasai district have had land, barns and cows confiscated, have been threatened with demolition of their houses, and denied the right to own land; further notes that Kazakh Hindus who applied for ownership of their houses were asked to declare that they were not Hindus, while non-Hindus who made similar applications were immediately granted ownership rights; acknowledges that the Supreme Court reviewed two cases regarding Hindu cottages and ruled against the Hindus without inviting the plaintiffs to the hearings.”

Forum 18, a human rights website has linked the Kazakh President’s brother to the demolition and land-grab attempt suggesting that the value of the land could be the reason why Hindus are being harassed and subject to human rights violations.

“The human rights violation against Kazakh Hindus has caused worldwide condemnation,” said Sudarshan Bhatia, President of the National Council of Hindu Temples UK, who is leading the Defend Kazakh Hindus Campaign. “We call upon the President to intervene to stop action to demolish houses belonging to the followers of Hinduism, facilitate legal registration of properties owned by Hindus, allow Hindus to occupy their homes and worship freely.”

“We ask for a complete review of decisions made against Hindus in the court call upon the President to order the Karasai District Hakimat to have all cases against the Kazakh Hindus withdrawn and basic human rights values restored,” commented Ishwer Tailor, President, Hindu Forum of Britain.

British MPs from all parties have supported the campaign as have Hindu organisations from around the world.

DESTRUCTION OF HINDU HOMES & TEMPLES

Early on 21 November 2006, the Kazakhstan Government sent bulldozers to demolish the local Hindu Temple. The bulldozers accompanied by vans of riot police have so far destroyed most of the buildings on the temple site. The Kazakhstan Government told local ISKCON Representatives to demolish their own Temple or they would do it at the temple's expense.

HINDU DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON

Hindu demonstrators from London gathered at the London Stock Exchange awaiting the arrival of President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Thursday 23 November 2006. By 7:30am a group of over 300 people had gathered. They were standing near the sides of the pedestrian mall which leads up to the stock exchange. At 8:00 am the president's motorcade entered the mall to approach the entrance of the building. At that time the Hindus rushed the motorcade and were practically next to the cars, shouting slogans and waving banners. The police were taken by surprise and immediately came forward to allow the cars to proceed to the building.

It was apparent that the president and entourage were aware of what was happening. When the cars stopped at the building all of the officials emerged and turned to observe the scene. After the session in the stock exchange when the President emerged his car had to pass a crowd of demonstrators as well.

The demonstrators were shouting slogans such as, "stop destroying the homes of Hindus in Kazakhstan, stop violations of human rights, stop religious persecution and discrimination." They stood near the windows of the exchange that the commotion would be heard inside.

The demonstration was attended by ISKCON devotees and well-wishers, including Sudarshan Bhatia of the National Council of Hindu Temples (UK).

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