Hindus have extended support to “European Roma Pride 2012" which reportedly will be organized in major cities of about 15 European countries on October 7. This international initiative is reportedly being held to exhibit pride in the Roma (the largest minority in Europe who number around 15-million) culture and origin, to fight stereotypes, and to draw attention to their maltreatment. It will include demonstrations, exhibitions, political petitions, concerts, films, etc., in Bulgaria, France, Denmark, Turkey, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, etc. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, expressed support to “European Roma Pride 2012" displaying Hindu commitment to equality and brotherhood/sisterhood. Roma (Gypsy) culture should be celebrated by Europe as it was a fundamental part of European culture. Europe needed to wake-up and end continuous maltreatment of Roma brothers and sisters, Zed argued. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that apartheid conditions faced by Roma in Europe were simply immoral and this apartheid needed to be strongly condemned by all European nations and religious leaders and should go. What was more baffling that even religious elite of Europe had not come out openly against the apartheid faced by Roma who were residents of Europe since 9th century CE, while the religions clearly told us to help the helpless, Zed noted. Europe's most persecuted and discriminated community, Roma reportedly regularly encountered social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, etc., Rajan Zed pointed out.
