Hindus, defend your religion from attack

THE EDITOR: I refer to your edition on Monday May 12, 2003 and wish to congratulate Nyla Baran and Narvin Ramkissoon for their response to a Ms Beckles of Port-of-Spain on her thoughtless comments about a Hanuman murti. I felt at the time of reading Ms Beckles’ article that I would have had to respond, as there were no Hindus of any substance in this country.

Now I feel proud that young people such as these have responded and again I notice that the older ones cannot be bothered. That is not to say that they do not care, it is just that they cannot find the time to defend the Great Hanuman Ji from verbal abuse. Even thought hey can be seen from time to time attending Mandirs and yagyas and listening to radio transmissions of Ramayana, where Lord Hanuman is a virtual hero, they could not take the time to put in a word of defence for a being whom they worship as God and offer puja to. How amazing.

But these same Hindus are preparing to celebrate Indian Arrival day with pomp and show. They will all find time to be there in large numbers, taking in the wining and gyrating that passes for Indian dancing these days.

They will take in all the chutney, which has evolved from Hindu bhajans, and they will surely be finding time to locate all the rum shops, which will be well stocked for the occasion. After that they will locate a pundit to ‘put a date’ for Hanuman puja and expect Lord Hanuman to bless it and make it successful. Way to go Hindus!

Having said that, I wish to say to Ms Beckles that any time you are not sure of what to say, then say nothing. That way people might think of you as a wise person. Do not open your mouth and prove people wrong, especially in public. If you notice, real Hindus never criticise Lord Jesus because they are confident in their religious beliefs and they accept anyone who teaches goodness and love as someone great.

Only people who are not confident of their beliefs seek to denigrate and belittle others so as to appear grand. I am sure that Jesus Christ would not want a non-charitable person to speak out on His behalf. So stow it next time eh, Ms Beckles?

SUE SANKAR
 Chaguanas