Hindus Seek to Reclaim Swastika

January 19, 2005

Source: The Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1446311,00.html

On January 19, 2005 The Times reported, "Hindus in Britain have started a campaign to 'redeem' the swastika from its Nazi past and reclaim it as the symbol of life and fortune it once was. The swastika is a 5,000-year-old symbol that has been used for centuries by Hindus, Buddhists and many other traditions to denote good luck, but because of the Nazis it has come to symbolise hate, anti-Semitism, violence, death and murder. The campaign, announced today, comes after members of the European Parliament called for a Europe-wide ban on the symbol after Prince Harry wore a swastika armband to a fancy dress party. Franco Frattini, the European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, has said that he is willing to consider the possibility of a ban. Nazi symbols including the swastika are banned in Germany...Ramesh Kallidai, of the Hindu Forum, is planning pro-swastika awareness workshops for every region of Britain with a large seminar in London. Every MP is to be lobbied by e-mail and an information booklet will be distributed to faith communities and others."