Hindus Hail Bill Ending Gender Disparity In British Royal Succession

Hindus have applauded publication of the bill granting girls equal rights to British throne succession.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that “it was a step in the right direction”. It was long overdue and it would bring an end to the centuries old chapter of British royal gender discrimination, he added.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that Hinduism had long been advocating treating women with equality and respect they deserved. Quoting scriptures, Zed pointed out that ancient Manusmriti said: “Where women are revered, there the gods are pleased; where they are not, no rite will yield any fruit.” Number of Rig-Veda (oldest existing scripture of mankind) hymns were said to be composed by women, and Aditi, who was sometimes referred as “mother of the gods”, found mention in Rig-Veda as a goddess.

Rajan Zed also commended lifting ban on the monarch marrying a Roman Catholic. British monarch should have the freedom of choice of marrying anybody belonging to any denomination or religion. Many different religions and denominations were just varying human expressions and reactions to one divine Ultimate Reality, Zed stressed.

Zed criticized the bill for not touching the ancient ban on a Catholic becoming sovereign.

Monarch should be free to choose any religion/denomination he wanted, including Roman Catholicism, because it would ensure equality of faiths, Zed stated.