Hungary: Hindus Condemn Molotov Attack On Roma

Hindus Condemn Molotov Attack On Roma Homes In Hungary

Hindus have strongly condemned reported Molotov cocktail attack on Roma homes in Hungary on March 18.

Expressing shock, acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, asked for its early and thorough investigation and taking preventive measures nationwide that such things did not happen in future frightening the Roma community. Zed argued that Roma faced apartheid like conditions in Hungary.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked the leaders of all the political parties of Hungary to openly criticize such attacks as these were unacceptable in a civil society.

Rajan Zed further said that in Hungary, despite various government initiatives, Roma reportedly continued to face blatant discrimination, shanty town living, an atmosphere of hostility, huge unemployment rate, lower life expectancy, prejudice, significantly higher school dropout rate, racism, bias and stereotyping, school segregation, social exclusion, mistrust, human rights violations, etc. According to an estimate, less than 1% of Roma obtained higher education degrees.

Zed pointed out that instead of reportedly continuing to marginalize Roma socially, this country of Lake Balaton, romantic Danube River, Franz Liszt and Bela Bartok, should be more embracing of Roma brothers and sisters who had been reportedly living with them since 14th century. Hungarian government should be more proactive in protecting Roma and other minorities. Zed urged all religious leaders, religions and denominations of Hungary to work for the upliftment of Roma, because religion told us to help the helpless.

Roma in Hungary, whose estimated numbers sometimes reach around one million, form about ten percent of total Hungary populace, which makes it largest Roma minority as percentage of total population in the world. Current demographic trends indicate that in 2050, about 21 percentage of Hungary population will be Roma.

Rajan Zed stressed that it was moral obligation of Europe to take care of its largest minority Roma population and stop human rights violations suffered by them, who numbered around 15 million and lived in apartheid like conditions. There seemed to be no coherent and effective policy to assimilate them into the society. Their alarming condition was a social blight for Europe and the rest of the world.

References to Roma people in Europe, who are believed to have their roots in the Indian subcontinent, reportedly went as far back as ninth century CE.

ENDS

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