The tallest leader and first president of Indonesia Sukarno’s daughter Sukmawati Sukarnoputri has stepped in with a remarkable decision to convert to Hinduism from Islam. Sukmawati reportedly will undergo the conversion in a ritual ceremony which supposedly, will be held on October 26.
Sukmawati to do a Ghar Wapsi
The formal ceremony named ‘Sudhi Wadani’ in which Sukmawati will convert to Hinduism will be conducted at the Bali Agung Singaraja at the Buleleng Regency in Singaraja city of Bali which is assumed to be the ancestral land of the family.
The founder of the Indonesian National Party (Partai Nasional Indonesia-PNI), Sukmawati is the third daughter of Sukarno and the younger sister of former president Megawati Sukarnoputri. It was her grandmother Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai Srimben who inspired Sukmawati to convert to Hinduism. Her lawyer Witaryono Rejsoprojo said, “Yes, (her grandmother’s religion is the reason). The mother of ‘Bung Karno’ was Ida Nyoman, a Balinese noble person (bangsawan).”
According to Jro Made Arsana from Bale Agung, the preparations are underway for the ceremony. “Everything has been decorated,” he stated. Arsana added that the pledge to convert will be made by Sukmawati Sukarnoputri in the presence of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) management. He also recounted how the daughter of the first President would come to Bale Agung along with her siblings.
Prior to the decision, she was seen attending several Hindu ceremonies and also had talks with multiple religious heads in Hinduism. Witaryono, earlier, had also informed that Sukmawati is well versed in Hindu theology.
Sukmawati targeted by Islamic fundamentalists
During Indonesia’s Fashion Week, Sukmawati recited a poem composed by her that asserted that Indonesian hair bun is more attractive than the Burkhas. In the aftermath of which, she was targeted by Islamic fundamentalists alleging that her poem had defamed azaan, a form of Islamic prayer.
Soon after being continuously targeted by Islamists, she delivered an apology with teary eyes stating that “From the bottom of my heart I extend an apology to all Muslims of Indonesia, especially those who feel offended by the poem. The poem is a reflection of my concern about the sense of nationalism…and to honour our motherland’s rich cultural traditions and diversity.”
However, Extremist Islamic groups including Indonesian Ulema Defence Team (TPUI) and the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (GMII) refused her apology.
Despite being the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia has a rich Hindu History. For instance, Indonesia’s currency displays Lord Ganesha. In addition to that, the country’s official airline is named Garuda which holds significance in Hindu history. Now, with the Ghar Wapsi of Indonesia’s founding father’s daughter from Islam to Hinduism, it can be speculated that Indonesia is heading towards recognizing its Hindu past and Hinduism is all set to rise yet again in the country.