As a 'convert' to Hinduism and the administrator of a Hindu country on NationStates, I will share my thoughts on an issue that is pertinent to me and millions of people around the globe. This is an issue that has received a fair amount of attention on NS and I don't believe a side of the discussion has been given adequate representation. Apparently the swastika was banned after a number of complaints by people offended by the use of this ancient symbol. The moderation team has stated their intent to maintain the ban on the swastika. The official statement that I read, typed by a Mod of the site mentioned that people will point out that the swastika is 'an ancient Buddhist symbol used scores of years ago.' I believe the tone of that article to be condescending, ill-informed and simplistic.

First off, representations of the swastika have appeared in several different cultures throughout history. It appears in ancient Greece, in Native American cultures, in Persia, as well as Hindu and Buddhist Asia. Not only did the swastika appear in ancient Hinduism and Buddhism, the use of the swastika is still widespread in Hindu and Buddhist countries today, not least of which is India, home to more than 1/6 of the world's population. Indeed, the very term 'swastika' comes from the Sanskrit, su ("good") + asti (3rd person singular conjugation of 'to be.') + -ka (suffix changing an adjective into a noun.) and so would translate to good fortune or well-being. Swastik remains a fairly common Hindu name.

This issue has appeared in modern Germany, where the use of the swastika remains banned. After the ban, the German Hindu community rose up in protest. Now, the swastika is permitted to be used by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains in Germany. Indeed, they are exempt from the ban. I propose that a similar exemption be made in NationStates. The swastika should be permitted for nations based on the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and other native religions as well as for bona fide historical and cultural reasons.

The reason why I have not included the swastika on the flag of my own nation is that the flag of Shaktirajya, as well as the country itself, focuses primarily on the goddess worshiping Shakta sect of Hinduism, and so uses Shakta iconography (i.e. the color red, the name of the goddess KALI written in Devanagari script, and a popular line representation of the goddess' form standing upon skulls.), but I believe that if I so desire it, I and any other Hindu based nation on NationStates should, in the interest of historical and cultural expression be permitted the use of our ancient religious symbol.

The movement to reclaim the swastika goes far beyond NationStates. I encourage everyone to check out Reclaim the Swastika and for interested parties to keep an open mind and conduct their own independent research.