Germany proposes an EU-wide ban on the swastika
Hindus organisations across Europe are starting a campaign to defeat German-led efforts for a Europe wide ban on the use of the swastika. If it comes into force, this would see a complete ban on the use of the symbol in all European Union member states.The proposed ban is obviously aimed at the Nazi use of the symbol. But the Nazis were not the only ones who used the swastika, nor does the symbol mean the same thing for all its users. In many cultures, ancient as well as modern, the swastika has been used as a peaceful symbol of good luck, prosperity and divine beneficence.
January 29th, 2007 at 12:56 am
I entirely aggree with your article
January 29th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Hindus must take strong steps in educating the Europeans–and the world–regarding the significance of Swastika which has been used by Hindus for thousands of years as a symbol of good luck. Germans trying to ban this symbol is not too different from Hitler trying to dictate his views on rest of the world. People must be reminded that India is the only conuntry where not only were Jewish people never persecuted, they have lived in India for more than thousand years where they have enjoyed peace and prosperity.
January 29th, 2007 at 4:41 am
This is nonesense and irrational. Perhaps and quite likely inspired by Jewish pressures and specially from the US where this lobby is very strong
as a counter to Holocaust Denial Movement headed by new researchers such as Zundel and the convention held in Iran to support this.How can symbols be held responsible for any crimes commited by humans. Should the christian cross not be banned for the Inqisition conducted by Spaniards in their own country and against the natives in South America.Or the crimes commited by Christian world wide , the atom bombing of Japan no less hideous than any. Hindus must not plead on this account but resist and retaliate. If any one harmed the Swastika I would harm the Cross in retaliation. The Swastika embodies all spiritual good and wellbeing and there is a lot of difference in the Nazi Swastika and ours. The colour matters We have the bhagwa or red while Nazis had black. Let us educate the Europeans write to the German Embassies. We are doing this to their Delhi Embassy.Any reports of desecration of the SWASTIKA IN WEST must be sent to us. WE WILL RETALITAE AGAINST THE CROSS-THAT SIMPLE
January 29th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Mr Sharma is logical. But logic does not save a faith or cause. If this logic was to be applied by Rajputs in middle ages there would have been no Hindus in India. Note how it vanished in Indonesia!Connect the Shetti episode on racism. Were this celebity to be Muslim this event would not have taken place. Respect and retrain
are two way engagements and always have a component of animal fear and awe.Hindus tend to distance themselves from this postulate and retreat which lowers their prestige.What happens if next OM gets bashed up by Skinheads ! This is a possibility in coming times. I think Hindu self esteem can only be ensured by a Kshattriya instinct which is magnanimoius in victory but gives no quarter to the instigator and aggressor. This is missing in todays Hindu. if mere 80 million Germans were about to have overrun the world and are still feared then numbers really dont matter!Does location matter it the symbol
January 29th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Namaste
So once again the German people have shown their ignorence, their stupidity and mischief making potential. Crimes are committed by humans, not by symbols, text books and not even by Weapons of Mass Destruction. (WMD)
It is encouraging to note that Hindu organizations throughout Europe have raised their voice and are willing to put up a fight for our rights.
At one time, Ku Klux Klan used the Cross as a sign of White Supremacy,
to carry out their tirade against the blacks, Afro Americans and the Jews.
Should the Cross, a sign of love, brotherhood and suffering be banned for the crimes of KKK followers?
The British flag is hijacked by the British National Party (BNP) for a sinster agenda. not too dissimilar to that of the Nazis. Should we demand banning the British flag. Gordon Brown has just said that it is time we, the decent people reclaim the flag from the BNP.
As many writers have emphasized, Swastika is a symbol of peace, love, brotherhood, prosperity and good luck. It represent Hinduism at its best.
India is the only country where Jews have never been persecuted.
Even today, there is a cordial relations between Hindus and Jewish community. I am sure most of the Jews will support our endure to stop this campaign against the use of Swastike by Hindus.
Swastika is also widely used by the Jains, Buddist and even in some tribes.
Swastika was in use in Europe and America well before Nazis stole it and gave it a sisister notoriety.
When I was in Turkey on holidays, I saw the Shivelinga and Swastika in the Ankara museim, dug out from the ruins and dated some 3000 years BC. Could it be in use, as a symbol of goodwill in ancient Europe as well?
We have to use Swastika and wear it with pride if we treasure it and would like save it from the mischief making Germans. We owe it to our future generation.
Bhupendra
January 30th, 2007 at 7:05 am
I totally agree with this article. Just because it was used by the Nazi’s for only a short period of time for their own sake does not mean that the symbol should be banned because it has been used by Hindus and other’s alike for religious reasons for many thousand’s of years.
I think this is political correctness gone mad.
In that case, why don’t they consider banning the two-finger gesture made by Britons to the French?
January 30th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
A more depth article about the current situation.
The Nazi abuse of Hinduism
http://www.hinduhumanrights.org/articles/naziabuseofhinduism.html
January 30th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Namaste
Wonderful news. I have just received emails from various friends that Germany has relented and will not seek to ban Swastiks throughout 27 EU
nations during the presidency.
It has realized that it would be practically impossible to impliment such a ban and would leave the decision to individual nation. I wonder how much influence our various Hindu organizations had on this decision but it would not be wrong to state that united we can achieve results, sky is the limit if we work together.
Thanks and congratulations to all involved in this struggle to save our swastika.
Bhupendra
January 30th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I must congratulate Maj. Gen. CHAUHANJI for his opinion and strong nd bold stand against the ban of Swastika Symbol. His retaliationary measures to Ban Cross in India is valid and necessary to counterattack the campaign of German Government and any other governments in the world and to save the glourious dignity, prestige, respects and status of Swastika, which it has been enjoying since thousands of years. THE LARGE SCALE Campaingns in India, opposing the ban would definately help to bury the attempts of any government once and for all. Hindus,Jains, Boudhs, sikhs and zorostrians living in India and abroad must act now before it is too late.
Banning Swastika is the tyrrany of German and other western governments. Remember the qoute Of Madame Bhijkhaiji Cama, A GREAT INDIAN FREEDOMFIGHTER REVOLUTIONARY :
“RESISTANCE TO TYRANNY IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD”
January 31st, 2007 at 1:28 pm
The swastika has been a universal symbol for many millenia. It is used by ancient Germanic tribes as well as American Indians and many Asian cultures.
It is precisely because of the ancient use of the symbol and its ties to so called “Aryan” culture, that it was used by Hitler as a rallying point.
Of course it should not be banned!
We should educate people about what it really means and display it proudly and openly whenever we can. We should definitely not stay quiet!
January 31st, 2007 at 6:35 pm
How can an ordinary Hindu citizen help?
January 31st, 2007 at 11:18 pm
I’ve seen the swastika on ancient greek statues (that the christians tried to destroy) and on petroglyphs in the Americas. This is a primordial sign / symbol - a clear referrance to the origins of abstract reasoning in wo/mankind.
We all have theories on what it means. Anyone with a scriptural based meaning?
hariaum
February 1st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Swastica so called taken by Nazi’s existed long before the Hitler and his Nazi’s party came into being. Hindu call it SATIYA and is used in worship all the time. If somethinng was used by Nazi’s does not mean that it has to parish from this earth.
However, you must also know that they have twisted this on anti-clockwise
on the Nazi’s flag.
They can ban their Nazi’s flags, but as regards Hindu’s concerned it is going to stay.
February 4th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Swastika is an ancient Hindu symbol. Hitler found the symbol of Swastika from the Vedas, which were taken from Bharat and misused this symbol.
Hitler used this symbol to persecute Jews but if you take the christian cross then under the symbol of cross many cultures and civilisation were destroyed (eg Abroginal, Maroist, Red Indians of the American continent, Africa and many others). It should be cross which has created more suffering on the planet.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Whatever it may be , I will never stop using swastik as for me it is an important part of my puja as important as hand for my body, if somebody put any law that you cannot use your hand for eating can i do this. sameway I canot stop using it whatever it may be. It is my humble request to all those who r trying to put this law, They should not be so injusticeful with hindus and for all those who take swastik as symbol of peace and fortune.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:48 am
I would just like to add another comment to the above: what would have been the European attitude to the swastika had Hitler won the war in Europe and became the dominant power? I suppose the Europeans would have claimed that it originated with them, like Christmas has come to be associated with the Christians and not with the Pagans.
Nehru Lall
February 16th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
It is thrilling to learn that there are so many spirited Hindus I think mostly abroad from what I can make out. I dont know whether any saw copy of my letter to the German ambassador in Delhi, if not and keen to read its contents do mail me at gs@sainiksangh.com,but here is the prompt reply of the Ambassador in which he whinces to mention anything about banning the symbol
P.O.B. 613, New Delhi 110 001
Maj Gen APS Chauhan (rtd)Vice PresidentSainik Foundation
6090-B8Vasant KunjNew Delhi 110070
Bernd Mützelburg
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germanyto the Republic of India
New Delhi, 15 February 2007
Dear Maj Gen APS Chauhan,
Thank you for your letter dated 02 February in which you brought to my notice your con-cerns regarding the use of the Swastika in the European Union.
Please be advised that the efforts of the German EU-Presidency to further harmonize within the European Union rules and legislation to fight against racism and xenophobia do not con-cern the use of the Swastika or any other symbol but actions, statements etc. inciting to vio-lence and hatred.
I attach a recent press release of the German Federal Ministry of Justice on the initiative to outlaw racism and xenophobia throughout Europe.
Best regards
Gez. Mützelburg
2)
February 22nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
well done hindus. we have the fighting spirit