Venkatachalapathi Samuldrala prayer controversy

Who is Venkatachalapathi Samuldrala prayer controversy?

This controversy centers around the first Hindu opening prayer offered in the U.S. Congress by Venkatachalapathi Samuldrala, a priest of Shiva Hindu Temple in Parma, Ohio. This prompted criticism from the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group, who protested against it in conservative media, in turn generating responses from their opponents and leading to serious discussions over Legislative Chaplains in a pluralist society.

Hindu priests have on occasion given opening prayers in Congress since then. A 2007 Senate opening prayer led by Rajan Zed of Reno, Nevada was criticized in advance by the American Family Association, and protesters interrupted the prayer from Senate gallery. In 2013 Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii became the first Hindu member of Congress.