The only Presidential candidate to publicly condemn the disruption of the universal prayer was Senator Christopher Dodd, Connecticut Democrat. Rajan Zed, a Hindu chaplain from Reno, Nevada, was heckled by three activists from an evangelical Christian organization who shouted that it was 'an abomination,' before they were escorted out of the Senate gallery and arrested.
Several evangelical groups had protested the Hindu chaplain being provided the opportunity to deliver a prayer opening the Senate session and warned Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, not to allow it.
The HAF said that following a letter thanking Senator Reid for allowing the prayer despite the pressure mounted against it, it had approached offices of several members of Congress and political leaders across the nation asking them to condemn the actions of the right-wing Christian activists. While the Presidential candidates from both parties "were asked to condemn this religious bigotry," only Dodd had responded among the candidates said Dr Aseem Shukla, a co-founder of HAF, adding that Dodd had "promptly supported the Hindu-American community and unequivocally condemned the extremist views of those that disrupted the prayer."
He said, "The scene of extremist Christians screaming in the gallery and marking the prayer as an abomination, and more importantly, the campaign waged against the prayer by evangelical groups with a large national profile, wounded Hindu Americans deeply ... It is very disappointing to see Presidential candidates shying away from public condemnation of this disruption. Silence will be construed as acquiescence by the ultra-right Christian fundamentalists, and that is a sad commentary on the otherwise distinguished candidates."
Ishani Chowdhury, executive director, HAF, echoing similar sentiments, complained that "by failing to express support to the Hindu American community over the Senate prayer, the Presidential front-runners have missed an opportunity She said "it is important that those who seek the highest office in the country work toward ensuring the pluralistic vision that this nation was founded upon".
Dr Mihir Meghani, HAF president, said, "We ask the leading Presidential candidates to reconsider their silence, and join members of the Hindu American Foundation and the two-million strong Hindu community in condemning such intolerance."
Dr Meghani, a physician, told Rediff India Abroad "their campaign for understanding and pluralism cannot be waged in silence." Ramesh Rao, member of the HAF executive committee, argued that "presidential candidates are in a unique role to transform public opinion and set the societal agenda. Without taking a firm public stance on such issues, they otherwise, unintentionally countenance religious bigotry."
In his condemnation of the disruption of Zed's prayer, Dodd said, 'Our nation was founded on the importance of religious freedom. The United States Senate has a responsibility to continue this legacy by honoring religious diversity and embracing the many faiths to which our citizens subscribe.'
He said 'the protests that interrupted (Zed) were a shameful representation of a few close-minded individuals. I condemn their demonstration, but am reassured by my strong belief that their actions did nothing to lessen the spiritual significance and true holiness of Mr Zed's prayer.'
Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Frank Lautenburg of New Jersey, both Democrats, also condemned the disruption, with Brown being the first to reach out to the Hindu-American community.
He said, "As a Lutheran, I deplore the intolerance and disrespect shown to Rajan Zed,' and spoke of how important it was to honor the expression of all religions 'in protecting the plurality of faith that strengthens our diverse nation."
Lautenburg in his condemnation of the prayer's disruption, said, "Unfortunately, several right-wing groups continue to fuel intolerance with mean-spirited statements, but declared that the American spirit is ultimately welcoming and the vast majority of people saw this occasion [Zed's prayer] as I did - a source of pride and celebration for all of us."
On August 27, Zed, who once again created history by being the first Hindu chaplain to deliver a prayer and open the California Senate session was able to do so without any interruption or heckling. Zed said California Senate officials had taken extra care to prevent any such incident.