Debate over new Hindu school’s definition of a practicing Hindu

The opening of Britain’s first state funded Hindu school has once again been embroiled in controversy after the I-Foundation announced its definition of who they would consider to be a Hindu for their school’s selection procedure. Although the I-Foundation later retracted its position due to negative publicity amongst British Hindus, the disctinct impression has been given that the school represents a rigid viewpoint of a particular sect and is not truly representative of the Hindu community.

The Krishna Avanti School’s website recently announced that it would give priority to children from practicing Hindu families, and proceeded to give quite a narrow definition of those who they would consider:

This would indeed exclude most Hindus in the UK, including many people who would consider themselves devout Hindus but who follow other branches of Hinduism. For example Shaivites (those who worship Lord Shiva as the supreme deity) may not celebrate the festivals listed above with such pomp and splendor as they celebrate Shivratri, yet Shivratri is not listed as one of the important festivals.

Furthermore, many Hindus practice Hinduism in less orthodox but still very valid ways - through Karma (selfless action) in their day to day lives. Others prefer meditation and contemplation at a quiet place in their homes rather than visiting a temple, and others pray every day and study Hindu teachings without ever visiting temples.

All such individuals would not be practicing Hindus for the purposes of the selection procedure of the only state funded Hindu school in Britain!

This has upset many British Hindus, who believe that a modern definition of who is a Hindu must to be inclusive to all the diverse ways that people practice Hinduism, otherwise it may divide and cause tension within the community.

Several Hindu bodies are debating how to tackle the issue. Hasu Joshi, media representative of the Hindu Council UK said “This is a very narrow and restrictive move that will create divisions within the Hindu community. The sensible path would have been to hold proper consultations. We are in the midst of meetings to decide how best to raise this issue”.

Hindu Human Rights spokesman Anil Malik stated that his organization has received a number of complaints about the Krishna Avanti School’s announcement, and that their definition of a practicing Hindu “is really the definition of what it takes to be a practicing member of ‘the Hare Krishna movement’ which is the sect of Hinduism which the I-Foundation (organization behind the school) is affiliated to.”