Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin Tuesday strongly denounced the "neighbourhood madmen" who are seeking a ban on the Bhagvad Gita in Siberia and underlined that Russia is a secular country where all religions enjoy equal respect.

"Russia, as it is known to anyone, is a secular and democratic country where all religions enjoy equal respect," the Russian envoy said in a statement after controversy over a move to ban the Gita in Russia rocked the Indian parliament.