Nevada (US): Hindu statesman Rajan Zed in a statement in Nevada said that Hindu prayers should be included in the daily acts of collective worship in British schools. He said that the current practice of collective worship focused on and favouring one religion was unfair and discriminatory to Hindu children.
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 UK schools.
Zed said that it was 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.
