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Russians still remain divided on proper reburial for Vladimir Lenin

One of the politicians noted that "Russia has a host of other problems that are far more urgent"

© Grigory Sysoyev/TASS

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. The leader of A Just Russia Party does not support the idea of giving first Communist leader Vladimir Lenin a proper burial and dismantling his Mausoleum in Moscow’s central Red Square.

"I have said on many occasions - let the matter rest. Let us leave it to future generations," Sergey Mironov told reporters on Tuesday, noting that Russia "has a host of other problems that are far more urgent."

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On Monday, State Duma deputy Ivan Sukharev from the Liberal Democratic Party appealed to Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko to look into tearing down the Mausoleum.

Besides, last Friday the issue was brought up by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in its message regarding the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution. "One of the symbols of reconciliation of the Russian people with God could be freeing Red Square of the remains of the main oppressor and victimizer of the 20th century and pulling down his statues."

Meanwhile, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov was irked by Sukharev’s appeal, lashing out at it as a provocation.

"Grave-digging statements are complete provocations no matter who makes them," the politician said. According to Zyuganov, "Lenin was buried in accordance with laws in effect in Russia".

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"If you have made up your mind to rebury someone, then the law says you have to ask all next-of-the-kin and if they agree, they must provide a written consent," the Communist leader explained. "I brought together all relatives of those who are buried in the Kremlin’s square, and all without exception were categorically against reburial," he said, adding that the president has "the letter with the corresponding signatures of the relatives."

"I consider these attacks as another major provocation against Russian statehood, because if you seek to disintegrate and shake the country loose, then you make such proposals," the parliamentarian noted.

Zyuganov believes that "those who encroach on the illustrious names of the founders of our state, they in effect encroach on the stability of the foundations of the present-day Russian Federation."

"The Great October Revolution saved the country. Lenin was at the helm of the country and the nation at the moment, he consolidated it into a new form - the form of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics," the parliamentarian declared.

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