BRITISH Hindu’s will attempt to block a move by Germany to ban the swastika across the European Union.
Ramesh Kallidai, of the Hindu Forum of Britain, told Reuters a number of organisations across Europe were planning on challenging Germany’s decision to ban the swastika as part of its plans to make Holocaust denial and the display of Nazi symbols a crime.
The swastika, which has its roots in Hinduism, was adopted by Hitler during his brutal Nazi reign as German leader.
But Mr Kallidai said it was a “symbol of peace” and banning it would discriminate against Hindus.
“The swastika has been around for 5,000 years as a symbol of peace. This is exactly the opposite of how it was used by Hitler,” he said.
“It is almost like saying that the Klu Klux Klan used burning crosses to terrorise black men, so therefore let us ban the cross. How does that sound to you?”
“Every time we see a swastika symbol in a Jewish cemetery, that of course must be condemned. But when the symbol is used in a Hindu wedding, people should learn to respect that,” he told Reuters.
“In Sanskrit it means May Goodness Prevail. Just because Hitler misused the symbol, abused it and used it to propagate a reign of terror and racism and discrimination, it does not mean that its peaceful use should be banned.”
