RAJASTHAN, INDIA, February 10, 2003: The Indian state of Rajasthan plans to introduce a ban on Hindus carrying a traditional religious icon, the trident. The three-pointed spear, or trisula, appears in Hindu iconography and traditionally symbolizes the power of Lord Siva as three fundamental saktis or powers — iccha (desire, will, love), kriya (action) and jnana (wisdom). Hindu activists say they have distributed more than 70,000 tridents in Rajasthan in recent months. A sharpened trident can serve as a weapon, though its relevance here is more as a symbol of aggressive Hinduism to be displayed in marches and at rallies. Rajasthan’s Home Minister, Gulab Singh Shaktawat, told the BBC the trident could endanger the lives of peace-loving citizens. He said he expected the trident ban to be introduced this week.
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