Idaho proclamation mentions 1st Hindu invocation

Rajan Zed (middle) with Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter (left) and Lieutenant Governor Brad Little (right) before opening the Idaho Senate with its first Hindu prayer on March 3
Rajan Zed (middle) with Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter (left) and Lieutenant Governor Brad Little (right) before opening the Idaho Senate with its first Hindu prayer on March 3

IDAHO: Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter has issued a proclamation declaring April 1 as the “Rajan Zed day” mentioning “historical first Hindu invocation in the Idaho State Senate” of March 3.

Three Idaho State Senators refused to attend this Hindu invocation and one of them allegedly stated in a media interview: “Hindu is a false faith with false gods”.

The proclamation, issued in Lenore, Idaho, and carrying the Seal of the State of Idaho and signatures of Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter and Secretary of State Lawrence Denney, says: “…on March 3, 2015 the historical first Hindu invocation in the Idaho State Senate was read by Rajan Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism,…”

It further states: “…Zed’s initiatives to bring various religious communities together throughout the world so that they can live in peace and mutual trust and enrich themselves through dialogue should be honored…”

The proclamation also points out: “…it is important to honor Zed’s leadership role in attempting to help the helpless…” It adds: “…Zed works tirelessly to uplift about 15 million Roma (Gypsies) people of Europe who live in apartheid conditions by frequently speaking about their maltreatment, issues and concerns; and urging other religious leaders to do the same…”

India Post News Service