Congratulating Milos Zeman (pictured) for winning Czech Republic’s presidential election, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged him to work towards ending Roma (Gypsy) apartheid in Czech Republic and Europe.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, asked Zeman to take-up the issue of continuous maltreatment of Roma in Czech Republic and Europe as a top priority of his Presidency. The high-flown “Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005–2015” initiative, of which Czech Republic held the presidency in 2010-2011, failed to make any “real” impact on the condition of Roma in Czech Republic and Europe, Zed added.
Rajan Zed argued that Roma people in Czech Republic reportedly faced violent attacks, stereotyping, racism, prejudice, growing gap between Roma and other Czechs, fear, beatings, poor quality housing, systemic employment and overall discrimination, persecution, throwing of Molotov cocktails, social exclusion, marginalization; refused service at restaurants, stores, discos, etc.; municipalities/towns failing to support them; and the state being unwilling or unable to offer protection.
Zed hoped that the country of Franz Kafka, Antonin Dvorak, Jaroslav Hasek, Karlovy Vary, and rich cultural heritage would not continue staying apathetic and silent spectator ignoring Roma apartheid and would come to their rescue.
References to Roma people in Europe, who number around 15-million, reportedly went as far back as ninth century CE.
It was the first time that presidential position was decided by direct popular vote in Czech Republic.