Attack on pandits by Hindu detractors

THE EDITOR: D H Singh’s letter in your Sunday edition (September 20) was most insultive to Hindus. Who or what are “boat Brahmins?” And how did he arrive at the conclusion that Hindu priests must come from certain select families? This individual clearly does not have a grasp of Hindus of Trinidad. This attack on one section of the Hindu priesthood is an attempt to destroy, and not to build. Based on the 2000 national census, it was revealed that Hindus in Trinidad is classified as either orthodox or non-orthodox. It is well known that the orthodox Hindu priesthood (pandits) is derived from Brahmin males. They are responsible for providing various services for orthodox Hindu individuals and families who require their services in many areas. These pandits form the bedrock of Hinduism in Trinidad. Most of them are hardly known outside the Hindu community since they humbly go about their activities.

Yet they are subjected to these unwarranted attacks by the likes of D H Singh. For no apparent reason since none was given. These orthodox pandits are associated with organisations such as the Maha Sabha and other orthodox Hindu groups/mandirs. There are other Hindu organisations/mandirs which have pandits/pujaries. They also service their congregations. Why limit one’s attack on only one section of the Hindu priests with blasphemous name calling like “boat Brahmins”. In terms of working out a Hindu ideology what prevents D H Singh et al from putting his Hindu brain to the task. Again no one prevents any Hindu from doing so.

Our orthodox pandits never prevent anyone from doing so even if they themselves have not done so. They already perform an invaluable service and are responsible for reinforcing traditional and conservative Hindu values in Trinidad, especially among Hindus. It is well documented, and from day to day experience, we know that there is no caste system in Trinidad. What took firm roots in Trinidad was in the selection of mainstream pandits in that they must be males and come from a traditional Brahmin background. This can only exist because the Hindu population choose to have it so. It did not prevent other Hindus from being sadhus, bramacharies, swamis, etc, and other Hindu teachers, or from establishing their own institutions.

In fact, these exist among Hindus. Yet our orthodox Hindu pandits are under constant attack mainly from Hindu detractors who seem frustrated. By doing so they perpetuate the Islamic warfare in the medieval period of Indian history against our priests. Instead of attacking our orthodox pandits in an erratic manner I suggest to D H Singh that he find other things to concentrate on.

J TOOLA
Couva