Hindu 'swastika' causes offence

Central Leader

Last updated 14:29 13/05/2008

JASON OXENHAM/Central Leader

CONTROVERSIAL SYMBOL: This emblem was painted as a sign of religious devotion, but is upsetting the neighbours.

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A World War Two veteran captured by Germans and held prisoner for three years is reminded of his torment every time he looks out the window of his house.

The Mt Roskill man’s neighbours have painted a large white symbol – resembling a swastika – on their roof.

He says the symbol, painted late last year, is distasteful.

"If I could get rid of it I would," says the man, who didn’t want to be named.

"It’s not necessary, it’s actually stupid. It’s insulting to the neighbours."

But Ambrish Gupta says when he painted the symbol, he didn’t mean to offend anyone.

He simply did it as a sign of his religious devotion.

In the Hindu religion, the swastika is the symbol of the god Ganesha, who is acknowledged at the beginning of prayers.

Mr Gupta painted it on his roof as a symbol of protection for his family and house.

He says he had no idea it had another meaning in western culture – as the mark of the Nazi regime – when he painted it.

"If I had known, I probably wouldn’t have done it," he says.

Another neighbour, whose house gives her a direct view of Mr Gupta’s roof, says she doesn’t particularly like it.

"When it first went up, I thought it was an insult."

Mr Gupta says now that he’s aware the painting is upsetting some people, he will have it changed to look more like the Hindu symbol and less like the Nazi version.

It already has dots in between the arms and there will be extra pieces added.

"It will be a little bit different. I hope with a bit of change it will not disturb people."

Sandringham man Lindsay Johnston noticed the painting on the roof in April when he was working on Carr Rd.

He says he was horrified.

"I find it very offensive."

Mr Johnston is worried that it will be visible to traffic when the new motorway is built through the area.

"People will be driving along wondering what kind of a country this is," he says.

Mr Johnston says he went to the police about the painting, but they referred him to the Auckland City Council, who were also unable to help.

"The council has no authority and there is no authority it can be referred to," says a council spokeswoman.

"If it was a sign, a complaint could be made to the Advertising Standards Authority but it is not advertising anything."

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Mr Johnston also wrote to Mt Roskill MP Phil Goff to complain about the symbol, who visited the house and talked to Mr Gupta.

"We spoke to the owners of the house who are very decent people and who were most concerned that the emblem had been misinterpreted," says Mr Goff.

"Far from being a white power group identifying with the policies of Hitler, the family’s beliefs are in fact the opposite.

"They are anxious that people understand what the symbol actually means and their motivation for having it on their house."

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205 comments

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Alexey #205 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

???Controversial simbol

Anthony #204 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Hitler was a vegeterian, so maybe all vegetarians should reconsider their tastes? He liked Wagner and Beethoven, should this music be avoided? Germany was the first country in the world to promulgate a law against cruelty to animals in November 1933, should we change our modern attitude towards animals? And Volkswagen... we should absolutely ban this car from our streets, shouldn't we? Hitler himself led the project of that car and even drew the scetch for the first model!

But then, isn't it strange, that when Communists have killed over 100 million (hundred million) people worldwide, few who oppose their pentagrams and other symbols? On the contary, leftistst in all their varieties enjoy all political freedoms in our western societies.

It is discussed that Eisenhower starved to death 1.7 million German POW-s (search the Internet for "Eisenhower death camps"), but nonetheless, he was a hero until the end of his days.

The British killed some 10 million people in India in the 19th century during the revolt, but that doesn't mean queen Victoria is considered a mass murderer today.

Americans made a business of killing and scalping the local native population for over hundred years, resulting near extermination of the native population of entire continent, yet...

And all we can talk about, is Hitler? At the same time, when he was most probably the reason why Stalin didn't have the opportunity to march through most of Europe in 1941??? Is this brainwashing or what?

Use of ancient symbol of swastica should be free, without any excuses!

Hemantkumar #203 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

CONGRATULATIONS TO Mr Amarish Gupta for his firm stand against the odd neighbours. This is the age of Hitech Information Technology and people should learn and educate themselves more easily before making big fuss about the symbol of Swastika. Swastika has been every where in the world since thousands of years as a sign of auspiciousness, Good Luck, divinity, life ,light and Longevity and peace. There are somany buildings AND LAMP POSTS EXISTING in USA, UK AND MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BEARING SWASTIKA SYMBOL. Thousand years history can not be wiped out for political correctness. Swastika is worshipped and revered by over 60% population in the world. There is also a Swastika symbol in Churches including the church of JESUS CHRIST BIRTH PLACE IN JERUSALEM. vow ! I have recently found some pictures of swastika pattern on the church wall AT CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL, CANTERBURY, New Zealand. Hitler came and gone for ever so why people have such a hate for Swastika? No one can blame the symbol for it's mis use by mad man. People should realise that Swastika is holy for Hindus,Buddhists and many sects of eastern religion same as cross to Christians. We can not blame the cross for the deeds of KKK in present era and christian Crusade in past. The Divine Swastika was is and will always remain the universal symbol of mankind and no one has right to ban or hate it when it is used in positive meaning. May the power of Swastika shower these IGNORRANT people with the knowledge and understaing to realise the truth.

Regards

Hemantkumar

united kingdom

Imran #202 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Let us not forget that hundreds of thousands of Indians also fought against the Nazis. Many also died. They would have been appalled at the theft of their swastika by Hitler but would have continued to venerate it as they have always done.

I do agree however, that whatever Mr Gupta wants to paint on his roof should not stand out like lighthouse beacon.

Jean #201 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Your article "Hitler or Hindu" published in the Central Leader on 13th May 2008 is interesting. Coming from the same ethnic country as Mr. Gupta, and following the Christian religion, has made us suffer in the hands of the hard-core fundamentalist Hindus. I am surprised that Gupta claimed to be unaware of the Hilter resemblance of the swastika sign. Moreover back in India, if anyone painted their roof with the emblem of the cross, I do not have a modicum of doubt, that their house would be stoned and then razed to the ground. I believe that NZ is a fair country and that Mr Gupta should respect his neighbours and remove the controversial symbol from his house.

Miriam #200 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Many of the cultural icons and symbols of Vedic society of India have been stolen by the Western fundamentalists including two-hand-together symbol of welcome or greetings stolen by Vatican!!

Shanti means 'Shalom' in their culture;now, a rich muslim actor with terror links has made a movie out of it in bollywood and is making billions!! what a cruel irony that India has the maximal number of terror attacks from the muslim community that should all have gone to Pakistan in 1947!

Glenn #199 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I think those people going off about NZer's not being tolerant should also look at the fact that this symbol represented a regime that killed many NZ men and women during living memory. Tolerance needs to work both ways and while it may be a peaceful symbol, to some of our older citizens it is a painful reminder of their suffering in a way that all those criticising could never imagine or of loved ones lost at the hands of the Nazis. Our elders deserve some consideration for what they did for the country.

Kenny #198 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Maybe this Gupta chap did this in all innocence, however it is an eyesore.

Marianne #197 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

While I abhor the Nazis and their ideals, including the swastika, the Hindu symbol is not the same. I can understand World War II veterans being offended by the symbol at first, but after they understand that the symbol is Hindu instead, it should be accepted as part of their culture. Just because a similar symbol has been used in the past by a group of uninformed bigots does not mean the Hindu symbol should be relegated to the scrap heap.

Mixed Feelings #196 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I can understand the feelings associated with this symbol with the western world and appreciate that after the experiences of this veteran, that it is a constant reminder of his awful experience.

I can also appreciate that this man is showing devotion (in his own unique way). I have grown up with this symbol my whole life, and to me it represents, peace and prosperity. It is not our fault that this has been mis-used and therefore mis-interpreted.

For all others, I thought we lived in a multi cultural society and that we were a fairly educated bunch. Given that this has been a contentious issue for decades, those that have seen it as offensive should try to understand and investigate how and when this was originated instead of being so ignorant to think that this was put up to offend.

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