Documentary Exploring ‘Swastika’ Association with Nazis Released

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW JERSEY – In partnership with AKTK Media, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has released a new documentary titled “The Silence of Swastika.” In English, the powerful thought-provoking documentary explores and sheds light on this multi-faceted sacred symbol that carries varying meanings in different parts of the world, a press release said.

In the Western milieu, the mere mention of the word “Swastika” can evoke strong sentiments due to its false association with the barbaric persecution and genocide of millions in Nazi Germany. This lingers on even though Hitler never used the term Swastika in his own writings – only the word “Hakenkreuz” (German for “hooked cross”).

On the other hand, over 2 billion people worldwide consider the Swastika a sacred symbol of peace and well-being. This is not an aberration or ignorance of its Western context, but the result of unbroken religious practices and deeply held beliefs ingrained over several thousand years, the release pointed out.

What leads to this glaring paradox? The fact is, Western newspapers from a hundred years ago also used the accurate word – Hakenkreuz, to describe the symbol used by the Nazis to strike terror. They even called Hitler’s followers as “Hakenkreuzlers.”

“Clearly, there is more than meets the eye in understanding how the narrative was distorted to ensure Hitler’s symbol came to be called the Swastika in the Western world,” said Nikunj Trivedi, President of CoHNA. “\We hope the documentary can help drive education and conversations on this important topic – as part of an awareness campaign we have been running since 2020. Our effort in no way denies or downplays the horror of the Holocaust or the trauma communities feel even today when faced with reminders of that horrific time.”

The “Silence of Swastika” was first released in Hindi by AKTK Media in December 2021.