Face2News/Nevada
Hindus have warmly welcomed the announcement that Liechtenstein will change its centuries-old rules of succession, opening the door for a woman to one day inherit the throne of this European wealthy principality.
Applauding hereditary ruling Prince Alois for the announcement, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, termed the announcement “a meaningful step in the right direction” for gender equality on the world stage, but stressed that it was “long overdue” and was also a reminder of how painfully long women have had to wait for equality.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that for a monarchy with roots stretching back centuries, this reform was not a concession but a correction—a long-delayed recognition that a daughter was every bit as capable of leading a nation and taking over public responsibility as a son. As we were well into the 21st century, there should be no place for outdated traditions that told women they were inherently less entitled to govern, inherit or lead than men.
Rajan Zed urged the ruling houses of the world’s remaining monarchies to take note of Liechtenstein’s example and dismantle the archaic, discriminatory laws that continued to bar women from thrones simply by accident of birth. Making gender a barrier to the throne was an outdated and unjust idea.
Men and women were equal in the eyes of God, Zed said, and called His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and other religious leaders of the world to raise their voices forcefully, consistently, publicly and unequivocally on the issue of gender equality. Religious leadership across all major traditions carried a profound moral obligation and responsibility to dismantle patriarchal structures, elevate the authority/standing of women, and shatter social glass ceilings worldwide. Religious institutions should be leading the charge for women’s equality, not trailing behind it. Religious leadership must not remain silent when half of humanity was denied equal rights.
Rajan Zed emphasized that Hinduism had long been championing treating women with equality, dignity and respect they inherently deserved. Quoting scriptures, Zed pointed out that ancient Manusmriti said: “Where women are revered, there the gods are pleased; where they are not, no rite will yield any fruit.” Number of Rig-Veda (oldest existing scripture of mankind) hymns were said to be composed by women, and Aditi, who was sometimes referred as “mother of the gods”, found mention in Rig-Veda as a goddess.
Zed added that true equality demanded more than symbolic gestures. It required dismantling every remaining law, tradition, and mindset that treated women as secondary — whether on a throne, in a religious situation, in a boardroom, or in the home. The Liechtenstein announcement, he said, should serve as a rallying point and a challenge to every remaining institution still clinging to centuries old gender-based exclusion.
Women did not need permission to be equal; equality was their birthright. Women’s equality could not remain a promise for some distant tomorrow; it must be a reality today. Equality was not a privilege to be granted; it was a fundamental human right; Rajan Zed stressed.
We welcome this development in Liechtenstein and hope that it inspires governments, monarchies, religious institutions and societies everywhere to take the next courageous step toward genuine equality for women and disband remaining systemic gender barriers, Zed says.
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