Dear Editor,
The letter from Swami Aksharanandaji on April 18 2008, ‘Freedom of thought and religion must not be taken for granted,’ brought out an excellent analysis of the many ways in which the Hindu religion was and is still being compromised, not only in Guyana, but wherever Hindus are present globally.
It is commonly accepted that the requirement for a harmonious society is a good moral upbringing, coupled with a sound education and a respect for all religions. When these elements constitute the main focus of parents and children’s dialogue, and are adopted in our school system, then we are paving the way for a society of rational leaders.
I am very perturbed about the reports referred to in Swami Aksharananda’s letter that the fundamental rights of our Hindu students are being compromised at some of our leading educational institutions, including Queen’s College and Saint Stanislaus College, by simply wearing a raksha or a thread on the wrist.
One very simple interpretation of the wearing of a raksha that is widely accepted is that it signifies being proud to be a Hindu, and when students are prohibited from wearing it, this compromises one’s basic religious right. I am fully aware that young people like to wear all sorts of things on their hands for the sake of fashion, but the raksha is not a fashion thing.
Do these institutions understand what the raksha or the thread on the wrist is all about?
Why do they allegedly not allow it to be worn? In what way does it infringe on the policies of the school?
I remember vividly being often invited many years back to be part of Queen’s College Hindu Society programmes. I remember sitting with many others in a room, performing Havan (a Hindu religious ceremony) and singing bhajans.
If it was permissible then to do the actual ceremonies, then why is the wearing of a simple thread not allowed? Muslim students are allowed to wear their hijab in school.
At the University of Guyana, where many young Hindu students were shy about being involved in Hindu-related activities because of the culture on campus, the University of Guyana Hindu Society of which I was a part, embarked on an exercise to mobilize Hindu students. This exercise was done by tying the same raksha or thread on the wrist and many students expressed a great sense of pride about belonging to their religion.
The fundamental reason for allowing schools to have religious societies is so that students can interact and share knowledge to better understand each others’ religious backgrounds and persuasions.
If institutional frameworks are established for students to promote and share non-secular education and they can’t be allowed to wear a string on their hand, then I am certain that we are not moving forward.
I would like to see the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Council of Churches and all the major Hindu organizations engage in dialogue so that our children will not begin to harbour a sense of religious inferiority or superiority.
Religion should be used to enhance amicable relationships among people and to see only good in all.
Yours faithfully,
Amar Ramessar
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to the head teachers of Queen’s College and St Stanislaus College for any comments they may wish to make.
