The Kazakhstan Campaign: Clarifying the Facts, Addressing the Myths

By Vyenkata Bhatta dasa

Recently some devotees have expressed a desire to be better informed about the facts underlying the campaign to protect Hare Krishna devotees in Kazakhstan. In my capacity as North America communications director and a member of the campaign team, I authored a report on the situation in Kazakhstan and ISKCON’s position. I studied the facts of the case available from primary and secondary sources, and used my background in law to analyze the situation to the best of my ability. I’d like to draw on that analysis to address specific concerns that some devotees have recently raised.

Did devotees in Kazakhstan violate laws?
There is no evidence that the devotees in Kazakhstan – either individually or as a community – violated any laws. To put it simply: these devotees played by the rules, utilized the proper channels, and behaved as model citizens. The issues at the heart of this situation are unique to former Communist countries: privatization and land registration.

Actually, there are two separate but related claims. The first involves a plot of land which the local ISKCON chapter purchased for use as a farm community. A Supreme Court ruling confirmed that ISKCON was the proper owner of the land, but ISKCON representatives were barred from registering. The local governments ignored the Supreme Court ruling and argued that the devotees’ ownership should be void because of a mistake made by the former owners (not the devotees) in filling out paperwork.

A second claim involves the individual homes (“dachas” or cottages) devotees own in a nearby horticultural association. A change in Kazakh law required all home owners to “privatize” their land. When the devotees attempted to do that, they were not allowed to. The local government started to require all applicants to sign a document swearing that they were not members of the Krishna community! To privatize, devotees would either have to lie or publicly denounce their faith. Devotees still kept applying to privatize but were refused or ignored. Finally, the local government ordered bulldozers to demolish 13 homes belonging to Hare Krishna devotees. According to Kazakh law, such demolition without compensation is only allowed in criminal cases; since these were civil cases, the government violated its own law.

In relation to both the plot of land and the individual homes, devotees did not break Kazakh law.

Why is ISKCON presenting the situation as religious intolerance or persecution?
Several factors make it clear that this is a case of religious intolerance and persecution. The devotees were told that they could only privatize their homes if they declared in writing that they were not members of the Hare Krishna community. The only homes that were targeted belonged to the devotees; other homeowners with identical legal and procedural status, but different religions, did not have their ownership questioned. Kazakh officials – while acting in their capacities as representative of the state – made statements slandering Krishna consciousness as a faith, and have compared the devotees to terrorists who are trying to destroy Kazakhstan.

Significantly, impartial third parties have raised concerns that Kazakhstan is targeting the devotees on the basis of religion, and see this conflict as part of a pattern of religious intolerance towards minority faiths in Kazakhstan. These organizations and leaders are respected and trusted figures, and would not make such statements without conducting independent research and investigations. We can rest assured that bodies like the United States Embassy, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), or the Kazakhstan International Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law looked deeply into all sides of the conflict and considered many factors before making public statements on this issue.

Were women and children purposely put into harm’s way to garner leverage or video footage?
This is an unfounded allegation that minimizes concern for the genuine threat that these devotees faced. No devotees knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly endangered the women and children of the community.

Video footage captures part of the actual demolition of 13 homes in November. The residents who were home when the bulldozers arrived were horrified and attempted to stop this gross violation of their rights. They screamed, they cried, they chanted, they called out to Lord Nrsimhadeva, they tried to hold the fort and finally had to be forcibly removed. They reacted the way any one of us would have reacted under similar circumstances. Because the surprise attack was executed (perhaps intentionally) at a time when most of the devotee men were away at their jobs, mainly housewives and infants remained at home. Thus there are mostly women and children present on the video.

Why is ISKCON aligning itself with the Hindu community?
In using the term “Hindu,” we offer an important historical and sociological context from which others can appreciate ISKCON’s roots and authenticity. Kazakhstan government officials routinely attack ISKCON’s credibility by accusing it of being a “sect” (this is the European equivalent of the cult accusations devotees faced in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States) and not a bona fide religion that is worthy of recognition or protection. By identifying ISKCON as following Vaisnavism – a monotheistic tradition within the Vedic, or using modern parlance Hindu, culture – we give others the proper context to understand who we are.

Offering such a context, especially in cases where Vaisnavas face peril from an outside force, is consistent with the examples set by Srila Prabhupada. As much as Srila Prabhupada spoke out boldly against sectarian conceptions of religion (including Hinduism), he also recognized situations where it is not only legitimate but crucial to identify ourselves as part of the Hindu community. Two pertinent examples: when British government officials refused to grant Ratha Yatra permits, and when American court cases charged ISKCON as being a “cult” that “brainwashed” its members, Srila Prabhupada unequivocally advised his disciples to argue that we are Hindu. Perhaps the most appropriate analogy: when the unscrupulous Mr. Nair attempted to have Radha-Rasabihari’s first temple in Mumbai destroyed, Srila Prabhupada rallied the support of the Hindu community (and generated interest in the press) by calling it the demolition of a Hindu temple.

Thus, aligning with the broader Hindu community is entirely consistent with Srila Prabhupada’s example and teaching.

Why should we share publicity with others?
Our goal in trying to generate media attention is to raise awareness of the plight of the devotees there and to put pressure on the government to act justly. In the course of doing that, we help other organizations (e.g. – Hindu groups, Interfaith organizations, government agencies, etc.) receive accolades for the good work that they do. Srila Prabhupada expected his followers to act as perfect ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen appreciate the heartfelt assistance they receive from others and give credit where credit is due.

Does the strategy threaten ISKCON’s integrity?
As a second-generation member of ISKCON – and as a professional with experience in law, public policy, and communications – I am acutely aware of the costly mistakes made in the past when trying to make short-term gains for ISKCON. I firmly believe that devotees must never compromise ISKCON’s integrity or use Krishna consciousness to justify illegality or improper behavior – no matter how admirable their intentions, or how attractive the short-term gains may seem to be.

The devotees in Kazakhstan have been painstakingly following the proper procedures and have been careful to act with integrity and honesty. Likewise, members of the campaign team – under the direction of His Holiness B.B. Govinda Swami – have been diligent and conscientious in their approach, maintaining dignity, accuracy, balance, and fairness in all that we do. The strategy that we are employing is a result of a detailed investigation into the facts of the case, a great deal of deliberation and reflection, and constant consultation with those who are most knowledgeable about the situation (both within and outside of ISKCON).

On behalf of ISKCON Communications,
Your servant,
Vyenkata Bhatta dasa
Communications Director, North America