21-year-old Simran Tatuskar faced backlash after calling for schools to teach the significance of the swastika as a symbol of peace in South and East Asian cultures, reported Opindia.
StopAntisemitism.org, a group aiming to expose anti-Semitism, accused Tatuskar of attempting to “re-invent the swastika’s reputation” and “normalize the largest symbol of hate in America.”
Twitter users came to Tatuskar’s defense, pointing out the difference between the Hindu swastika and the Nazi Hakenkreuz, or hooked cross.
Tatuskar has since issued an apology and clarified her stance, stating that she believes schools should teach the importance of the swastika in Asian cultures alongside its historical impact as a Nazi hate symbol, reported the Free Press.
She added that only teaching the significance of the Nazi swastika “may perpetuate ignorance, as students will learn that the Swastika is solely and exclusively associated with hatred and intolerance rather than being educated about the full historical and cultural meaning of the symbol.”
This incident is not the first time the Hindu swastika has been mistaken for the Nazi Hakencreuz: online retailer Shein was criticized for selling a swastika necklace earlier this month, according to CBS News.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story.
Ignorance has a loud voice. But here goes my ignorance as I think I read somewhere that not only does The Hindu symbol proceed the Nazi use of the symbol but that the Nazis turned it around (the Hindu symbol) to represent chaos.