Hindu statesman offended by use of religious icons in slots

Rajan Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, fired a broadside at the Merkur division of the Gausselmann group this week over its use of the Hindu god Lord Shiva as a theme in a slot game.

Describing the use of the religious icon as “wholly inappropriate and regrettable” Zed said the 5 reel, 50 pay-line Shiva slot depicted the blue four-armed Lord Shiva as the wild symbol, along with other symbols of Indian and Hindu culture

Zed pointed out in a statement that Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism, and is meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines – not for “…promoting gambling on slots for mercantile greed of an international company.”

He called on Gausselmann to apologise and withdraw the game to avoid further offence to devotees.

Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical culture that should not be taken lightly, Zed observed. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, he added.

Zed explained that in Hinduism, Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities. Moksh (liberation) is the ultimate goal of Hinduism.

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