Dear Editor,
Since the PPP returned to government in August 2020, there has been a tendency to discriminate against Hindu organizations not closely affiliated with PPP. Last week, as in previous celebration of Hindu festivals, Hindu organizations not directly linked to the PPP have been denied resources for public celebration of Holi and other festivals and or to address pressing social issues affecting them.
Hindus are the most marginalized group in the country. Contrary to what many may think, an Indian or Hindu name does not mean a Minister is Hindu. More than half of the MPs and Ministers are Indians, but less than half of them are Hindus. And of those who are Hindus, none of them, (repeat) none of them speak on issues impacting Hindus. Almost every Hindu votes for the PPP and yet the party marginalises them.
The PPP MPs are only concerned about themselves and to get into parliament, not to address peoples’ problems. And Hindus have many problems. Hardly any of the Ministers and MPs, all multi-millionaires after coming into government, make a personal donation to a mandir or Hindu organization. Christian and Muslim Indian MPs donate generously to churches and masjids.
No MP or Minister thinks about problems affecting Hindus, much less provide resources addressing a multitude of issues affecting Hindus or provide funds to Hindu community groups for festivals in our fractured society. Funds are only given to PPP support groups and party groups in villages to dole out among some Mandirs (not all mandirs) at festival time. Last year, some mandirs, whose leadership was close to the PPP, got pineapples and watermelons as donations from the President’s office.
Selected individuals, two low level MPs, close to the President were authorized to distribute the fruits. Maha Sabha linked mandirs were blanked. If a mandir’s leadership is not associated with or kowtow to PPP leadership, they are blanked on resources for Shivratri, Navratri, Hanooman Jayanti, Holi, Diwali. During this Holi celebration, chowtaal groups not closely linked with PPP have been blanked.
Even those mandirs or organisations linked to Dharmic Sabha which is bonded with PPP, Viraat Sabha whose leadership is also tied with PPP, and Maha Sabha (not linked to PPP) received resources for the just celebrated Shivratri festival and now Holi. They had to raise their own funds from private donors to host chowtaal singing. Yet non-Hindu groups received tens of millions in donations from the state for celebration of their festivals. Mandir leadership had to kowtow to the authority to get handouts for members of a few mandirs.
Data reveal that Hindus have the highest rate of suicide, domestic violence, school drop, alcoholism, drug abuse, divorce or spousal issues, unemployment, and so many social ills. Yet no Minister (Hindu) or other) has publicly addressed these problems or advocate for resources for Hindu groups to assist victims.
I ask Bharrat Jagdeo, Vindya Persaud, Anil Nandlall, Vickram Bharrat, Vikash Ramkissoon, Vishwa Mahadeo, Sonia Pariag, Suresh Singh, Charles Ramson (is he Hindu?), and other Hindu MPs what are you going to do to address the above grievance.
And I ask PPP sycophant Joel Bhagwandin, and men of integrity like Ravi Dev, Randy Persaud, Vishnu Bisram, Baytoram Ramharack, Swami Aksharananda, and other prominent Hindus what are you going to do to ensure Hindus get a fair and equitable treatment from the state? When will you speak out on the discrimination Hindus face? And when will Indian MPs, all MPs, champion equality for Hindus, for the entire nation?
Will the government fairly distribute resources to all organizations regardless of religious affiliation, rather than only give to groups linked to the President’s office?
Yours truly,
Ravindra Punwassie
