Dear Editor,
I have listened to what purports to be a debate on the date of Diwali, and remained silent because I am not one who can read and understand the ‘Patra’.
Points were presented by Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and by the Hindu advocate and opposition MP, Dr Vindhya Persaud, and both sides sounded very convincing although neither side has been willing to concede to the other. What we have, as a result, is two dates slated for the celebration of Diwali ‒ Nov 10 and Nov 11.
I have spoken to a few very learned persons, who are unquestionably very qualified to pronounce on the date, and I have had both dates given from those I contacted. The persons on the two sides argued vehemently for their stances, with Minister Ramjattan being the more authoritative of the two (between himself and Dr V Persaud). The day set as the national holiday for the celebration of Diwali is November 10. Does it mean that the Minister is trying to divide the Hindus? Or that he is trying to stop Hindus from worshipping according to their religious belief? I say an empathic “no”.
At the Diwali Motorcade at the Rose Hall Estate Ground in East Canje I had the most disgusting experience ever. It reminded me of the Diwali Motorcade night I tried to take Ashni Singh (then Minister of Finance) off the same stage for trying to gain political mileage at a religious function. Pandit Jagmohan Persaud, a Hindu priest groomed by the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud and spokesperson for the Hindu Dharmic Sabha, and Dr Vindhya Persaud so disgusted me that I felt like hauling them off the stage. Just because the Hindu Dharmic Sabha has been issuing the dates for the celebration for 40 years does it mean that their scholars cannot be wrong now? Can they not agree to disagree? Why is this discrepancy seen as a political move to destroy the Hindu religion? These people are bitter at having lost the 2015 election and their hold on the people.
Neither of these persons delivered a Diwali message. Not even the old rhetoric of the return of Shri Ram from exile was offered to the people. Instead Jagmohan, who spoke first ventured into the political domain and forgot religion. His emphasis was on the declaration of the date for the celebration and he said that Minister Ramjattan should be focusing on stopping the surge of criminal activities instead of trying to dabble in religion. Dr Vindhya Persaud in a follow-up speech declared that she is her father’s child (no one doubted that) and that she will fight for her religion. I will fight for mine too and I am a Hindu. She shouted to the people (at least 50% non-Hindus) to light their diyas on November 11 and keep the children away from school and do not go to work and she will stand up for them. Against what or for what, may I ask?
Editor, I was utterly disgusted that the Dharmic Sabha in the name of religion, can be so politically blinded. They are causing the Hindus to have doubts, not the Minister.
The many scholars whom I have consulted cannot seem to agree on just one date, and so if I believe one rather then the other I will go with what my advice is from that person (or persons). Now if I decide to light diyas on the 11th instead of the 10th or vice-versa, will I be cursed? Will that act destroy me as a Hindu? Does that mean that I am trying to destroy the religion? The learned Doctor should not try so hard to please her leader and should not turn a religious celebration into a political battlezone. The Hindus are the ones who will be hurt.
I will conclude by saying that Dr Vindhya Persaud herself by shouting out a call to fight the act of Minister Ramjattan is digging deep into the political arena, and it is a hopeless fight to gain votes. If we cannot agree on one date then let those of us who want to light diyas on the 10th do so, and those who want to do it on the 11th do so. Do not preach to the people that the government is trying to destroy the religion. When I asked the very religious leader, Dr Vindhya Persaud, a few months ago, just before the Naya Zamana show to have some special invitations for a few ministers and even the President, her response was shocking. I now can see why. She said that she wanted to keep these occasions “apolitical”— not political. Editor, every year from 1999 to 2014 government ministers and presidents have been speaking at these motorcades and hustling political mileage too. I was the MC for the East Canje Motorcade for many years, until I entered the political arena, then I was taken and kept off the stage. Who is making the motorcade political? Was that not trying to divide the Hindus? If President Granger or the Minister of Culture is asked to speak at a Diwali Motorcade, will that mean that the celebrations would be political? How shallow and narrow minded can these people be?
My advice to the Hindus in Guyana is that Laxhmie Maa (the mother of Light) will not shut you out if you celebrate Diwali on November 10 or November 11. Shub Diwali!
Yours faithfully,
Charrandass Persaud, MP
