Talk to Putin for temple construction in Moscow: BJP

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) The BJP today demanded that the UPA government should take up with Russia the issue of ''re-constructing'' the Harikrishna Temple in Moscow, land for which had already been allotted in January, 2004.

''The Prime Minister should talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin so that the permission for re-constructing the temple is granted,'' BJP deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Vijay Kumar Malhotra said during Zero hour.

The BJP leader stressed that even the world bodies, including the World Conference of Religions, have already made a strong case for re-building the temple.

Mr Malhotra said after the change effected in land laws in Moscow, permission for temple reconstruction was denied.

Another BJP leader Santosh Gangwar also called upon the government to take the initiative and book the issue with the visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.

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