Hindu prayers sought in British schools

Hindus want Hindu prayers to be included in the daily acts of collective worship in British schools.

 

The current practice of collective worship focused on and favoring one religion was unfair and discriminatory to Hindu children, children of other religions and no-faith; distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed stressed in a statement in Nevada today.

 

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that as argued by the government; statutory collective worship, introduced in 1945, might play important role in schools; but it must include Hindu prayers also because of substantial presence of Hindu children in United Kingdom (UK) schools.

 

Rajan Zed noted that it was simply inappropriate to have worship highlighting only majority religion in increasingly diverse, plural and multicultural British schools; thus disrespecting the rights of children, parents and teachers of other faiths and no-faith. Is this the British way to “promote community spirit”, “encouraging cohesive and inclusive school communities” and “respect and understanding for others”? Zed asked.

 

Many parents were unaware that they could withdraw their kids from such assemblies because of inadequate/unclear information/communication. All collective worship activities should be made public, Zed added.

 

A two-year research network project funded by Swindon headquartered Arts and Humanities Research Council, publicly funded and incorporated by Royal Charter, has reportedly recommended scrapping of schools’ religious assemblies. Presently, UK schools are reportedly required to offer daily acts of collective worship.