New Delhi: For the first time, a Hindu clergyman led the US Senate in a Hindu prayer at the start of a session on Thursday. However, three people were arrested for shouting protests against the prayer ceremony in the visitors' gallery before the prayer began.
The shouting was audible on the tape around 0930 hrs local time as Director of Interfaith Relations at a Hindu temple, Rajan Zed, delivered the short opening prayer.
Capitol Police Sgt Kimberly Schneider stated that two women and one man were arrested in the Senate visitors’ gallery for disruption of Congress, a misdemeanor. The three were shouting slogans such as ''This is an abomination''.
"At this time, we don’t know their religion," Schneider was quoted as saying by agencies.
Meanwhile, all throughout the week, a Mississippi-based organisation called the American Family Association has been running a criticism campaign on their website for allowing a Hindu clergyman to deliver prayers.
The organisation urged supporters to call Senators to ask the event be cancelled. However, as of now, there is no word of a connection between the disruption caused by the three people at the Senate and the American Family Association.
One of the protesters told reporters as he was arrested: "We are Christians and Patriots".
Police identified the protesters as Ante Nedlko Pavkovic, Katherine Lynn Pavkovic and Christan Renee Sugar. Their ages and hometowns were not available.
(With inputs from agencies)
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