Sita Ram. Numerous social issues – alcoholism and drugs, life-style diseases, poverty, conversion, divorce, single parenthood, state discrimination, home invasions etc.- are affecting Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago but, unfortunately, are not being addressed and why? Here are some reasons I wish to put forward:
Too much time is wasted in poojas, singing bhajans and eating soharee while these social issues are ignored or left to the government and politicians to solve. Our pandits are generally not capable of interpreting the scriptures to address these issues, thus leaving Hindus unaware of these social ills and the harm they are causing the community.
The Hindu community is divided into several small groups that work apart from one another with little or no cooperation. This isolated tribal existence further means that there is no meeting of the minds to discuss these threats, far more to overcome them.
Hindu leaders jealously guard their power by discouraging any proper management structure that would ensure accountability. Proper accountability must be demanded by devotees if our mandirs have to play their roles effectively. After all, money is Mother Lakshmi and if not respected would sooner than later desert the community.
Too many competent Hindus are fearful of being labelled negatively by the wider society as religious bigots and fundamentalists by identifying with the mandir. Because of this they reluctantly refrain from raising issues affecting the community. Even issues like perennial flooding, the neglect of agriculture and predial larceny that affect so many Hindus are ignored.
Hindus who have acquired a degree of social and material comfort are unwilling to risk it fighting for the welfare of their less fortunate brothers and sisters. Many of them living in beautiful homes with decent jobs and their children doing well at school hold the view that they are better off minding their own business. Unfortunately, these Hindus don’t understand that the wider society would always lump them with their ethnic group whether they like it or not.
Hindu leaders have failed to educate their membership on the atrocities committed against Hindu in the past. The sufferings of Hindus/Indians under Forbes Burnham of Guyana must be a course of study for every Hindu in Trinidad. The exodus of Indians from Uganda under dictator Idi Amin should be known to all Hindus to better understand the forces operating against their wellbeing.
Working together in common projects is the most certain way to forge unity. When Hindus unite, they win handsomely. The birth of the Maha Sabha and its school building program must be a story for all Hindus to understand. The many battles that the Maha Sabha won in the courts against the State must also be known by all. This will help to understand that life is an eternal struggle for justice with no room for complacency.
Hindus need to develop a common voice to speak for all Hindus in the region. No longer can Hindus allow petty differences to keep them aloof and apart to their own detriment. The protection of Hindu rights and wellbeing should be the main focus of such a body.
All Hindus should register with such a body and pay a token fee annually to demonstrate a commitment to the Hindu Samaj. In addition to protecting the rights and freedoms of Hindus, such a body must act as a lobby to make demands from the state for equitable distribution of resources and to ward off threats. For example, the current disbursement of HDC grants for repairs to homes is far from equitable as the recipients do not reflect the ethnic diversity of the society. In the area of healthcare, the government must open the Couva Hospital to ease the overcrowding in the San Fernando Hospital. The completion of the South Campus must also be addressed by this Hindu lobby. These issues cannot be solved with the mother, brother, popa and mausi on the executive of the mandir!
While the average Hindu is going the extra mile to take care of his family, it must be understood that issues such as crime and discrimination are beyond an individual or family and can only be fought by Hindu organizations putting aside their differences and narrow self-interest.
Rama, in his mission to defeat Ravan formed alliances. He had monkeys, bears and even a squirrel working towards his goal- to defeat Ravan and rescue Sita. It is only by working together can Hindus overcome these challenges. Unity is our only saving grace!