Hindus are calling for a permanent and dedicated “Hindu Prayer Room” in publicly-funded University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UK); which houses a Christian chapel and there is reportedly a Muslim prayer facility on its estate; highlighting the gap in provision for Hindu students.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that state- funded University of Wales Trinity Saint David should respond to the requirements of Hindu students to provide a designated prayer-meditation hall for rituals, quiet reflection, festivals and spiritual exercise; which would help in their personal growth.
Are not Welsh public universities, backed by taxpayer dollars, subject to equality law? Do we have to prove that Hinduism is “worthy” of accommodation? Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked; and added that current provision of religious facilities at University of Wales Trinity Saint David was inequitable.
Rajan Zed stated that “Hindu Prayer Room” in the University of Wales Trinity Saint David would be a step in the positive direction in view of the reported presence of Hindu students—who represented a vibrant part of the academic community in this university; as it was important to meet the spiritual needs of these students. Many universities/colleges in the USA and some in England already offer Hindu prayer rooms.
Zed suggested that the “Hindu Prayer Room” preferably should have a shrine containing murtis (statues) of popular Hindu deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, Durga, Venkateshwara, Ganesha, Murugan, Saraswati, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Kali, etc.; besides being equipped with ghanta (big metallic bell hanging from the ceiling), dholak (two-headed hand-drum), Shiva-linga, etc.
Rajan Zed urged Wales Cabinet Minister for Education Anna Brychan, Wales Director of Tertiary Education Ruth Meadows, University of Wales Trinity Saint David Vice-Chancellor Elwen Evans to seriously look into this issue and be more receptive to the needs of their diverse student bodies.
Hindu students seemed to be underserved as access to shared generic multi-faith facilities often did not adequately accommodate Hindu worship practices, and could not replace a designated Hindu Prayer Room; Zed noted.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David needed to recognize the intersection of spirituality and education, which was important in Hinduism; Rajan Zed mentioned, and added that Hindu students should not be treated as an afterthought.
Universities which prided themselves on diversity should not pick and choose which faiths deserved a home and which not. Hindus were requesting for nothing more than the same basic respect and dignity afforded to some other faiths. It was not a request for special treatment; it was simply a request for equal treatment. Hindus were urging University of Wales Trinity Saint David to publicly commit a clear timeline for delivery of meaningful and equitable access; Zed indicated.
This was fundamentally an issue of equal fairness, inclusion, respect, student welfare; a stark disparity; and Hindu students forced to compromise on their spiritual obligations. It was an overdue step University of Wales Trinity Saint David should take; correcting this imbalance swiftly, honoring their commitments to equality, and setting a model for inclusive multi‑faith infrastructure across Wales; Rajan Zed asserted.
Zed further said that Wales public universities also needed to formalize faith space policies; establishing clear guidelines that guarantee equitable facility allocation across all major world faiths present on campus; and thus ensuring that every student, regardless of faith, felt fully supported, valued and welcomed.
“St David’s University Chapel” is part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, a publicly funded higher-education institution in Wales. Consecrated in 1827 and located in its Lampeter campus, “The Chapel is traditionally an Anglican foundation, part of the Church in Wales, and therefore uses the rites and ceremonies of the Church in Wales.” “Holy Communion on Fridays at 1:15 p.m. Compline by candlelight on Sundays 7 pm.”
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about 1.3 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought; and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.