Does Hindu cleric who prays before legislative bodies speak for Hinduism?
Rajan Zed goes by the title of president of the Universal Society of Hinduism. Some other Hindu leaders say they know little about him.
A YouTube video from 2007 captures the introduction of Hinduism to the prayer life of the US Senate.
“Today’s opening prayer will be offered by our guest chaplain, Mr. Rajan Zed, of the Indian Association of Northern Nevada,” says Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), who was serving as the presiding sergeant-at-arms that day, in the recording, made in July of that year.
Rajan Zed, an Indian immigrant who lives in Nevada, is seen dressed in a salmon-colored robe and a saffron scarf, with prayer beads around his neck. Before he has a chance to speak, a voice sounds out from the Senate’s public gallery: “Lord Jesus, forgive us, Father, for allowing the prayer of the wicked, which is an abomination in your sight—”
