The first Hindu prayer to take place in a US Senate was disrupted by protestors, who shouted slogans such as “Lord Jesus, forgive us Father for allowing the prayer of the wicked which is an abomination in Your sight.”

The protestors were rightwing Christians who believed that the recital of a Hindu prayer in the US Senate boded badly for America. The police were forced to intervene and three arrests were made, namely those of Ante Nedlko Pavkovic, Katherine Lynn Pavkovic and Christan Renee Sugar, members of an organisation called Operation Rescue/Operation Save America (website here).

The prayer (view transcript) was led by chaplain Rajan Zed, who opened the ceremony with a short prayer. Zed says that he heard the shouting at 9.30am, before he had even begun the prayer but was determined not to let a few fanatics ruin it.

The protestors were severely criticized by the major political parties as well as many American religious and cultural groups. However, some organizations such as the so called “American Family Association” have been running a criticism campaign on their website for allowing a Hindu clergyman to deliver prayers. The website encourages their readers to make official complaints to their Senators. The organisation said regarding Hinduism. “This is not a religion that has produced great things in the world.”

“In Hinduism, you have not one God, but many, many, many, many, many gods…And certainly that was never in the minds of those who did the Constitution, did the Declaration [of Independence] when they talked about Creator -- that's not one that fits here because we don't know which creator we're talking about within the Hindu religion.”

It is understood by most Americans that the framers of the US constitution accepted that faith was a personal matter of the individual and in fact advocated that the federal government stay out of the religious affairs of the people. Thomas Jefferson’s clear approval of the hands-off approach to religion is clearly stated in a letter stating that the first amendment “erects a wall of separation between church and state.” In fact, the Treaty of Tripoli, proudly signed by John Adams (who also co-wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence) in 1796 has a particular statement in article 11 stating, “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion…”

However it is also undeniable that the framers of the US constitution who included the phrase “One Nation under God” had a Christian worldview, whether or not they were practicing Christians. And clearly Hinduism has a pluralism of divinities.

So where does that leave Hinduism in America. Well, as far remaining true to that original intent of the framers is concerned, they clearly intended that only white men would have a say in what their country would look like. Even Washington and Jefferson were slave owners. The idea of women voting, of black people voting and owning property, and the end of slavery were far-reaching pipe dreams as far as the framers knew. But that didn’t stop broad-minded Americans from amending the constitution and doing what is right.

Hindu Voice comment:

While it is commendable that the authorities took appropriate action in this instance, it should also the addressed that such prejudiced and narrow minded behaviour stems from hate ideology that often singles out Hinduism. For example, the billionaire televangelist, founder of the Christian Coalition, and one time presidential candidate Pat Robertson once said about Hinduism that “we can’t let that stuff come to America” because it is the “work of the Devil”. The founder of the US based Gospel for Asia, in fact the Indian born KP Yohannen called for even yoga to be banned for its supposed “diabolical associations with false gods, idols and evil spirits”. While people such as Robertson and Yohannen are accorded positions of power and influence in American society, a certain underlying intolerance will always remain.

Transcript of Prayer:

"Let us pray. We meditate on the transcendental glory of the deity supreme, who is inside the heart of the earth, inside the life of the sky and inside the soul of heaven. May he stimulate and illuminate our minds.

"Lead us from the unreal to real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. May we be protected together. May we be nourished together. May we work together with great vigor. May our study be enlightening. May no obstacle arise between us."

"May the Senators strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world, performing their duties with the welfare of others always in mind. Because by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal of life. May they work carefully and wisely, guided by compassion, and without thought for themselves."

"United your resolve, united your hearts, may your spirits be at one, that you may long dwell in unity and concord! Peace, peace, peace be unto all."