Jakarta: Indonesia is a country where Muslims form the majority with 87.5% of the population but you’ll find plenty of Hindu motifs everywhere you look.
For instance, the 20,000 rupiah note in Indonesia has an inscription of Lord Ganesha alongside a picture of Ki Hajar Dewantara in front.
With 3% Hindus, the Muslim majority country carried forward the native believers of Hindu deities and practices.
The reason for engraving Ganesha on the note is because Ganesha is known as a god of education.
Why can’t India be more like that?
Hindus are a minority in Indonesia, just as Muslims are in India. Will India put an Islamic symbol on one of its notes?
While paying a visit to the country, it is a common sight to come across statues of Lord Krishna, Ghatotkach and Arjuna.
Senior BJP leader and Former Deputy PM of India, L K Advani during his trip to Indonesia in July 2010 was left awestruck because of the pride bestowed upon Hinduism by Muslim majority country.
On his return to India, Advani wrote a blog titled “Hindu influence in Indonesia” on 17th July, 2010 and concluded the write up with the following words, “Indonesia, I must say, seemed to know and cherish Ramayana and Mahabharata better than we (Indians) do.”
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation chooses a Hindu goddess as its embassy’s symbol. Why?
Will India choose healthy respect for the Muslim minority ?.
No, because it speaks volumes about the country’s respect for religious freedom.