Some 1,000 gathered in Delhi to protest Russian anti-cultist Alexander Dvorkin and his denigration of Hinduism.
The so-called cult expert and vice-president of FECRIS (European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Cults and Sects) has crossed the line in attacking the oldest religion on Earth with some 1.1 billion adherents worldwide, an estimated 140,000 in Russia.
The outcry against Dvorkin’s actions came in response to a plea from Prasun Prakash, who brought suit against Dvorkin for spreading false and derogatory information about the Hindu religion and his father Sri Prakash, a vocal proponent of the religion. Indian citizens, Sri and Prasun Prakash have been living in Russia for 27 years.
In his petition on Change.org, Prasun Prakash states:
“We have been living a peaceful life till a few days ago. Things took an ugly turn recently when a few radical elements, led by one Mr. Alexander Dvorkin, who claims to be a researcher of modern sectarianism, church historian and Orthodox theologian, started hounding me and my family in Moscow due to our religion, Hinduism.
“My father, Sri Prakash ji, who was born in a family that followed Hinduism, sincerely believes in sharing with his fellowmen the knowledge he has about spirituality that lies at the core of Hinduism and goes beyond the boundaries of mere religion. He constantly strives to be of service to people who are interested in learning about the Indian culture and spirituality and offers them a better insight and understanding of the philosophy and science that is the Sanatana Dharma, popularly called Hinduism.
“He professes Hinduism and is also the president of the autonomous non-commercial organization ‘Center for Promotion of Conservation and Development of Indian culture Shri Prakash Dham.’ This organization helps people who are interested in the tradition and culture of India, and yoga as a science of the philosophy of life.
“We sincerely believe that Mr. Dvorkin, in his quest for cheap publicity, has identified my father and our family to be used as the one tool against Hindus in Russia to achieve the ultimate subjugation of the whole Hindu community in this country as per his illegal and deplorable intentions.”
At the rally in Delhi in response to the Prasun Prakash petition, the crowd burned an effigy of Dvorkin, calling him an enemy of India and Russia and asking President Vladimir Putin to protect Hindus from persecution in Russia.
