Dear Editor,

I would like to congratulate the Hindus of Berbice who turned out in thousands to support the Berbice Hindu Milan, a three-evening programme at the Albion Sports Complex last weekend. The programme was a rich mixture of Hindu culture and rituals, and saw the presence of prominent Hindu figures such as Sri Prakash Gossai, Swami Aksharananda, Mr Jairam Peetam and Pandits Ravi, Bud, Krishna, Shaam and Danesar. Prime Minister Sam Hinds was the government functionary gracing the event.

Notably, the programme idea was born out of the inter-religious dialogue with Bishop Edgehill of the Ethnic Relations Commission and was organized by a group of ordinary Hindus in Berbice, namely, Poonai Bhigroo, Dr V Narain, Balram Shane, Sandra Sankar, Mahindra Jeebodh, Veditah Ganesh, Dr Ramayya, Mukesh Persaud, Vijai Ramoo and Tridesh Dassa, who saw the need for religious leaders to work together, starting with Hindu leaders themselves. As such a cross-section of Hindu organizations were represented at the event including the Sanatanists (regular Hindus), the Arya Samaj, the Hari Krishna Movement, the Divya Joti Jaagrathie Sansthaan, the Maha Kali Organisation, and Art of Living (Guyana).

The event is commendable as intra-religion conflict harms the religion itself and makes its members more susceptible to conversion to other religions or giving up religious practices and beliefs entirely. Religion today plays a central role in public life, and is increasingly becoming a significant identity marker. Guyana is blessed to be a multi-cultural society and inter-religious harmony will no doubt help alleviate ethnic tensions, as the spiritual values of being ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’ translate into a love for life and a dignified life for all.

In this regard, the Hindus in Berbice have taken a positive step forward, saying no to the dastardly attempt to divide them along lines of power and to recognize that it is their spiritual beliefs which are greater than the dictates of any single organization to which their temples are affiliated. Just as the separation of church and state in education was a progressive move forward for nations, the separation of power and religion is a must for the spiritual values of religion to be realized. The Hindus in Guyana have started standing up for themselves and for their rights to attend any Hindu cultural or religious event in their communities. They have started saying no to the organizations that play the power game.

In this regard, Hindus all across Guyana need to recognize that Hinduism in Guyana is not the dominion of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha or Pt Reepu Daman Persaud. It is indeed archaic that the Dharmic Sabha has asked Hindu supporters in Berbice affiliated to the Sabha to boycott the three-night event in Berbice. And it is sad that some of these supporters do not see the distinction between being a Sabha follower and a follower of a Hindu religion.

Hinduism teaches that contentment, satsang, the spirit of enquiry and self-control are the pillars of liberation. “Whatever be the cost, however difficult it may be, whatever obstacles may stand in the way, satsang should never be neglected. For satsang alone is one’s light on the path of light” – The Supreme Yoga, Yoga Vashista, p. 30.  My sister (Sandra Sankar) tells me that many of those who did not attend the event told her that they were obeying their “guru.” But a guru in Hinduism is an enlightened master from whose heart “darkness and ignorance has been dispelled” (ibid) and in whose presence one’s life becomes richer because of his/her teachings. Will an enlightened master ask a disciple to boycott a religious festival from which the disciple will gain some merit?

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has celebrated 29 years of existence recently, claiming that it promulgates the pristine purity of the Hindu religion. The purity of the Hindu religion lies in higher spiritual teachings but ordinarily in its practices. Not just the practices by the Sabha. But in all of the compatible practices of one’s belief system. And no one needs the permission of the Sabha to hold an event uniting Hindus. Instead, the Sabha should join with Hindus countrywide to ensure that there is unity among Hindus. It should never be about the Sabha v other organisations’ followers, but simply Hindus seeking to understand and practise their religion in an uplifiting manner for themselves and society at large.

In the words of my sister and Sri Prakash Gossai, the Albion Complex was transformed into a “place of pilgrimage” and a “heavenly atmosphere” with the event. My brother (Mukesh Persaud) said to me he never saw anything like it before. There were classical bhajans, Ramayan and Geeta readings and over 160 havan kundas (fire-pots of offerings to purify the atmosphere). And the donations that poured in allowed for more than 4000 persons to be fed in traditional Hindu style. The speeches were on the themes of parent and child abuse (Peetam), alcoholism (Swami), Hindu unity (Pt Ravi), Youths (Art of Living).

Indeed, it is a good start for Berbice in depoliticizing the Hindu religion.

Yours faithfully,
Gitanjali Persaud