About 200 people with icons and slogans have attacked the opening of Vedic culture festival in the South Russian resort of Anapa. The festival, organized by Russian Krishnaites â a Hindu sect wide spread outside India â took place in a health center. Cossacks in camouflage and elderly women burst into the center territory demanding that Krishnaites leave their town, Russian website Religio.Ru reported. | They're mean, dirty fighters. The Cossacks are pretty bad too. |
The site also said that representatives of Russian Orthodox clergy headed the protest.
The attackers carried slogans saying âVedic Culture Is Hitlerâs Cultureâ and âWe Will Clean Anapa of Devil Kin.â Some of them turned over a book stall, trampled down a portrait of a Krishnaite saint, tore down festival posters. Organizers of the festival supported by local authorities held negotiations with the attackers who agreed to leave the scene so that the Krishnaites could continue their festival. However, the Hindus were forbidden to wear traditional Indian costumes when visiting Anapa. The festival included seminars, songs and dances, other actions. |