Hindus are urging a permanent and dedicated “Hindu Prayer Room” in all publicly funded universities and colleges of Ireland, many of which usually house an exclusive Roman Catholic or ecumenical-Christian chapel.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that all publicly funded universities and colleges of Ireland 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.

Publicly funded Irish universities and colleges should uphold constitutional religious neutrality and may not establish or officially favour one religion over others; Ireland’s Constitution is explicit on this point. Article 44.2.2° clearly states that “The State guarantees not to endow any religion,” making religious neutrality a constitutional obligation, not an option, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, states.

Rajan Zed pointed out that “Hindu Prayer Room” in the university/college campuses would be a step in the positive direction in view of the reported presence of Hindu students in Irish universities/colleges, as it was important to meet the spiritual needs of these students. Many universities/colleges in the USA now 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 Higher Education Minister James Lawless, Higher Education Secretary General Colm O'Reardon of Ireland and presidents of public universities/colleges of Ireland to seriously look into this issue and be more receptive to the needs of their diverse student bodies.

Irish universities/colleges needed to recognise the intersection of spirituality and education, which was important in Hinduism, Zed added.

Hinduism is the 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.

According to reports, while Trinity College Dublin houses an ecumenical-Christian chapel, Roman Catholic chapels are housed in University College Dublin, University of Galway, University College Cork, Dublin City University (St. Patrick’s Campus), Dublin City University (All Hallows Campus), Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Mary Immaculate College Thurles, St Patrick's Pontifical University Maynooth.