February 29 2012, KUTV - Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Ghandi's Grandson Responds To LDS Proxy Baptism,

February 29 2012, KUTV - Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Ghandi's Grandson Responds To LDS Proxy Baptism, 

10:58 PM CST

(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY – There has been plenty of hand wringing over LDS Church baptisms of the dead – the names have included Daniel Pearl, the parents of Simon Wiesenthal, and recently Mahatma Ghandi..

The grandson of Ghandi gave a speech just a couple of miles from the downtown LDS Temple today.

Some Hindu leaders were offended by the baptism of Ghandi 

There were calling it an insult to 1 billion Hindus. But Ghandi's grandson says they shouldn’t be.

Under a snowy Salt Lake City inside the beauty of the downtown library, the grandson of perhaps the most celebrated spiritual leader in history addressed an audience enraptured by his message of peace tonight.

Arun Ghandi was sent to live with his famous grandfather Mahatma Ghandi when he was only 12 years old. He saw firsthand Ghandi's tolerance and respect of all faiths .

So when Arun was informed that his grandfather may have been baptized postumously by members of the LDS Church, he channelled the man of peace.

In the Hindu world, the news met some as offensive. Rajan Zed, a Nevada Hindu leader was angry when 2New spoke to him earlier this week

Arun says he finds that interesting. While his grandfather was alive, he was shunned by some Hindus bcause of his inclusiveness.

“For them to get offended and make a big noice about he Mormons…I think it’s ridiculous, and kind of ironic,” Arun said. 

Tonight Arun speaks of peace, love and respect. The possibity that his grandfather may have been baptised by the LDS Church would be met by Ghandi – he says with a smile.

“Whenever anybody asked him, ‘What religion do you follow?’ He would say I'm a Hindu, I'm a Muslim, I’m a Christian, I’m a Buddhist, I’m everything. So I can just imagine him sitting in Heaven with us in front of God laughing and saying, and now I’m also a Mormon now.”

(Copyright 2012 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)