Designated "Hindu Prayer Room" sought for faith parity at Universities of Glasgow & St Andrews

GLASGOW, Scotland - Aug. 14, 2026 - PRLog -- Hindus are calling for a permanent and dedicated "Hindu Prayer Room" in Scotland's publicly-funded University of Glasgow and University of St Andrews, both of which house Christian chapels and Muslim prayer spaces; highlighting the gap in provision for Hindu students.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that state- funded Glasgow and St Andrews universities should respond to the requirements of Hindu students to provide a designated prayer-meditation hall for rituals, quiet reflection, festivals and spiritual exercise; which would help in their personal growth.

Are not Scottish public universities, backed by taxpayer dollars, subject to equality law? Do we have to prove that Hinduism is "worthy" of accommodation? Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked; and added that current provision of religious facilities at Glasgow and St Andrews universities was inequitable.

Rajan Zed stated that "Hindu Prayer Room" in the Glasgow and St Andrews universities would be a step in the positive direction in view of the reportedly fairly sizable presence of Hindu students—who represented a growing, vibrant part of the academic community in these universities; as it was important to meet the spiritual needs of these students. Many universities/colleges in the USA and some in England already offer Hindu prayer rooms.

Zed suggested that the "Hindu Prayer Room" preferably should have a shrine containing murtis (statues) of popular Hindu deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, Durga, Venkateshwara, Ganesha, Murugan, Saraswati, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Kali, etc.; besides being equipped with ghanta (big metallic bell hanging from the ceiling), dholak (two-headed hand-drum), Shiva-linga, etc.

Rajan Zed urged Scotland Tertiary Education Minister Ben Macpherson, Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Education Màiri McAllan, University of Glasgow Principal Andy Schofield, University of St Andrews Principal Dame Sally Mapstone to seriously look into this issue and be more receptive to the needs of their diverse student bodies.

Hindu students seemed to be underserved as access to shared generic multi-faith facilities often did not adequately accommodate Hindu worship practices, and could not replace a designated Hindu Prayer Room; Zed noted.

Universities of Glasgow and St Andrews needed to recognize the intersection of spirituality and education, which was important in Hinduism; Rajan Zed mentioned, and added that Hindu students should not be treated as an afterthought.

Universities which prided themselves on diversity should not pick and choose which faiths deserved a home and which not. Hindus were requesting for nothing more than the same basic respect and dignity afforded to some other faiths. It was not a request for special treatment; it was simply a request for equal treatment. Hindus were urging both the universities to publicly commit a clear timeline for delivery of meaningful and equitable access; Zed indicated.