Hindus seek removal of demeaning definition of 'Gypsy' from Romania dictionary

Nevada (US), July 22 (ANI): The Hindus have asked Romania's leading dictionary to remove the derogatory definition of word 'Gypsy' as 'people with bad habits'.

Esteemed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed in a statement in Nevada (USA) on Thursday said that it was unacceptable to insult an entire ethnic group with such remarks.

He urged the publishers of said DEX dictionary to recall the existing copies of dictionary and reissue an improvised edition with a better definition.

Because of apparently negative connotations, Europe's various bodies refer Gypsies as Roma and usage of 'Gypsy' is reportedly seen as disparaging and insulting by Roma communities.

According to a recent comment by Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights: "Anti-Gypsy stereotypes continue to be spread and perpetuated in several media across Europe...They have contributed to xenophobia through biased reporting and cheap sensationalism."

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that Roma maltreatment in Europe was like an undeclared apartheid.

Roma reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, etc.

According to reports, population of Roma is about 15 million in Europe and estimated at between 1.8 and 2.5 million in Romania. (ANI)