Lilliputians like me, through this listserv, have a little peek into the roiling contentions that are beginning to surface over an impending International Hindu Conference in Guyana. In due course, we may learn of the objectives and goals for which this conference was organized, and the operations that would be put in place to achieve them. Quite often, academic conferences are held, and white papers are written, only to be stowed away to gather dust on the library shelves of academia.
I had the privilege once to chair a conference of the Indian Intellectual Forum in NY where academics made fierce presentations to examine the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan, and the threat to Hinduism in India itself. A number of these conferences were held over the years but in terms of action very little was achieved. Over a decade ago, I attended a Hindu Conference which was hosted at the Surya and Prem Bhakti mandirs. Again, some intelligent presentations were made, but the recommendations for action hardly trickled down to ordinary devotees. If my memory serves me right, one of the huge plans outlined was to build a Hindu school for which the land was already identified. That school remains a dream, and the lofty ideas expressed at the conference have dissipated in the dry winds of inaction. Paper tigers abound, and photo-ops are cheap, hopefully the upcoming conference in Guyana will bear fruits, because the practice of Hinduism in the country is suffering a slow death.
For those who remember the history of Guyana during the 70s and 80s, Hindu and Muslim leaders, intent on gaining favor with the ruling PNC sold their souls by giving legitimacy to rigged elections, while allowing their respective organizations to be used as window-dressing to hoodwink the international community into believing that the PNC had the support of most Indians. The betrayal led to anger and frustration causing many Indians to lose confidence in their respective religious organizations, a blow from which the Hindus did not recover. As political and racial abuse deepened and economic hardships mounted against Indians, many voted with their feet, including a number of the religious stooges, to greener pastures especially in North America.
Hobnobbing with political bigwigs, whose agenda clashes with the ethos of Sanatana Dharma may offer a façade of credibility, but in reality,undermines any hope of a positive outcome, leading to greater suspicion and cynicism. Can the conference provide guidance for healing among the various factions that have created their own fiefdoms, some of which claim to be the only legitimate voice of the Hindu community Hindus? Questions as to whether Swami Aksharananda has been side-lined in identifying roles for Hindu leaders at the Conference creates some intrigue as to who behind the scenes is(are) calling the shots. A reference to Swami Aksharanada inviting President Granger to SVN is a rather puerile comment that exposes a lack of temperament for constructive criticism.
That wise heads can come together to analyze problems in the Caribbean Hindu community and offer solutions is commendable. But the more difficult job will be to raise funds, identify leaders, train field workers, and set realizable goals that can be evaluated over time-set periods to determine progress. Hopefully, the same coterie of tired folks, bent in their ways with notions that they alone have the divine right to determine what is good for the Hindu community, are not presented the helm to stir Hindus out of a state of inertia, for it will spell Deja vu “all over again.”
Namaste!
Pandit Ramdular Singh