Kamla Persad Bissessar, the leader of the Opposition, has no credential to speak on Hindu concerns. If Hindu leaders have expressed concerns about the vandalization and desecration of their places of worship, Kamla should have been more restrained in her response rather than dismissive.
Vijay Maharaj is the head of the Maha Sabha, the largest Hindu organization in the western hemisphere with more that 50 schools, 200 mandirs and scores of pandits. The NCIC has been in existence since 1966 and has played a significant role in the promotion and propagation of Indian culture, notwithstanding its annual Divali Nagar. The leadership of these organizations has the legitimate right to raise concerns of any perceived threats to their followers.
Rudranath Indarsingh, Member of Parliament for Couva South, has expressed alarm at the vandalization of mandirs in his constituency. Deoroop Teemal, President of the NCIC and an Independent Senator has expressed concerns at this growing religious bigotry and has appealed to the police to be more thorough in their investigations rather that dismissing them as acts of vagrants and mentally disturbed people.
The Opposition leader has no legal right to dismiss the charges of vandalization of places of worship of Hindus and should be called upon to apologize. Had non-Hindus expressed similar concerns, would the Opposition Leader have been so dismissive?
Kamla Persad Bissessar has now established herself as the final arbiter of what is right or wrong in the Hindu community. She must appreciate that in our democracy there is separation of state and church. By jumping to conclusion without allowing the police to conduct proper investigation, only demonstrates bigotry and intolerance. Her words have clearly demonstrated that she takes the Hindu electorate for granted. Would Kamla had been so dismissive had Muslims expressed similar sentiments?
