Despicable! Deplorable! Disgraceful!

Oct 31, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot is dumbfounded; dumbfounded at the barbaric actions of those who were responsible for the desecration of the Alexander Village Mandir. What were these uncivilised people thinking?

For crying out loud, it’s a house of worship! Any such action, especially when it defiles places that are sanctuaries of religions, must be utterly condemned and the perpetrators dealt with condignly.

What is even more shocking, is that, according to reports, these incidents have been occurring for some time now; ten years. This begs the question: how were the numerous reports treated by the police?

I read that some suspects have been arrested. Good. Why not sooner, in previous years? This obviously would have helped to prevent the magnitude of damage seen last Diwali night.

While this column has heaped praise on the police in the past, their actions relating to the circumstances of the Mandir in question leave much to be desired.

Authentic reports from traumatised residents and worshippers strongly suggest that the situation mirrored some despicable acts seen in war-ravaged countries.

According to the residents, many calls for help were made. If true, why did the police take so long to respond? People could have been seriously hurt. Fires could have erupted.

One resident explained that one “bomb” (an enormous squib) landed inches away from a working generator filled with gasoline.

Thankfully, the explosion of the squib did not ignite the generator. Residents spoke of a loss of confidence in the ranks attached to the police station in close proximity. Their concerns seem genuine.

The Mandir was pelted with mud and rum bottles; part of the fence was torn down; numerous squibs thrown into the compound; religious rituals were interrupted and hundreds of law-abiding residents, who feared for their wellbeing during those agonising hours, are still in shock. Some are in shock for the last ten years.

What is even more disturbing is the fact that Guyanese would resort to such actions in a country that is known and envied for its tolerance in religious diversity. It cannot be just a spontaneous act of aggression through ignorance; ten years is long.

As I mentioned, some suspects have been arrested. This is a start and the investigations must be relentless and culminate with those responsible being made to face the full force of the law. Such actions of desecration must not be allowed to be repeated.

Its consequences in other countries are well documented. Think of what could have happened if residents had retaliated.

The tolerance of the residents must be commended and admired. This makes a stronger case as to why the perpetrators must be swiftly brought to court.

All Guyanese political parties, religious organisations and the rest of civil society must raise their voices in condemnation of this horrendous incident.

The sacrilege that the recent Sari pageant may have been perceived to have caused is less than a drop in the ocean as compared to the Himalayas in a swimming pool as a result of the Alexander Village incident.

This is an opportunity for all, especially the Hindu organisations, to unite in denouncing this deplorable act. I am waiting for the releases that will inundate the media landscape. Should I get a boat? Squawk! Squawk!