HINDUS WANT THE SWASTIKA BACK
(13 January 2005)

In an open letter to this publication, Kapil Dudakia of Tthe Milton Keynes Hindu Association, has expressed a view that many Hindus would like the swastika symbol redeemed to its original meaning as an emblem of strength and good luck. The issue has been raging since Prince Harry was pictured wearing a Nazi fancy dress costume with the Nazi Swastika on its sleeve. This has caused many groups to question the Prince's lack of common sense and knowledge of history. Clarence House has already issued the Prince's written apology.

Kapil Dudakia writes "Price Harry has unwittingly opened a debate on symbols used for various purposes. This great debate on the swastika has started but one wonders how much knowledge and understanding there is amongst the media, and of course the wider community? The issue of a Prince wearing a Nazi style uniform in jest was insensitive, and for many people, it signals many more fundamental questions relating to roles and responsibilities within a civilised society.

However, it is important that there is an appreciation for the symbol called Swastika - a symbol that came into being more than 3,000 years; a symbol that has meant life and good luck for many millions throughout the world. There is a grave danger that those who have traditionally been using this symbol correctly - for religious worship, for good luck, for decoration and so on - will get trampled on by the actions of an evil man in the 20th Century.

For Buddhists and Hindus, the swastika is a very religious symbol that is commonly used in many ceremonies , and I have no doubt that it will continue to be used for many thousands of years to come. The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix. Therefore, for many cultures the swastika has been used throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck.

The image of the swastika has been used by many cultures around the world, including in China, Japan, India, and southern Europe. By the Middle Ages, the swastika was a well known, if not commonly used, symbol but was called by many different names:

China - wan
England - fylfot
Germany - Hakenkreuz
Greece - tetraskelion and gammadion
India - swastika

The issue of 'Nazis', what they stood for, what they did and how their past actions still dominate the lives of so many people around the world cannot be underestimated. However, the world cannot allow the evil in one person to outshine the goodness in the use of the symbol by good law abiding people around the world.

There have been instances in this country when people passing by during a Hindu event have commented on the use of the swastika, but not fully understood the history of the symbol and the context in which it is being used. I should like to urge the media, schools and leading members of our society to be ever vigilant and ensure that they do learn of the difference, and in doing so, that they convey this to the masses. Hysteria normally is never the answer, quiet and constructive contemplation of the issues and understanding the factual significance might often be the preferred way forward."

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