Dear Editor,
In the Tulsidas Ramayana, (Sri Ramcharitmanasa), one of the important parts is the dialogue between Lord Rama and Kakbhusundi, where Lord Rama explains about the compassion for devotees. In the Uttarkanda, Doha 87, Lord Rama continues..
“..be it man, woman or ‘one lacking the characteristics of both’ or for the matter of that, any living being whatsoever, of the animate or the inanimate world, he who adores Me with all his being, giving up all guile is supremely dear to Me..” (Gita Press translation available at http://www.gitapress.org/books/ramayan/1318/uttar1023_1101.pdf )
The Ramayana has no problem naming ‘napumsaka’ as part of the human diversity, napumsaka referring to those we might consider ‘gay’ or ‘lesbian’ today.
The Minister of Home Affairs, in its decision to ban Bounty Killa and Movado, very studiously avoided any reference to the homophobic lyrics which are a part of the repertoire of violence lyrics.
It is noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with various religious groups attempted to discuss with Wildfire and other promoters about having peaceful concerts. It would have been fascinating to see the tone of those discussions because the ‘fyah bun’ is from the Judaic story of Sodom and Gomorrah, often used by many of the Judaic religious advocates who condemn homosexuals. It is reported in the Jamaica Observer (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20080424T210000-0500_134887_OBS_ARTISTES_ROSE_TO_THE_OCCASION.asp) that prayer was part of another event in Jamaica at which calls were made for burning of lesbians.
Minister Rohee can clarify whether he is also appalled at the calls to kill homosexuals or whether he is scared of offending the religious groups he met with in acknowledging that homosexuals in Guyana are deserving of a life free from violence.
He should have no fear of the Hindu population, since the Ramayan could guide him.
Thanks to Stabroek News and Kaieteur News for reminding the readers that the issues with these artistes are not only gun violence.
We should learn that we cannot be hypocritical in not condemning some kinds of violence, while being concerned about other forms since they are all related.
Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon
