KINDLY permit me space in your letter’s column to respond to assertions made recently in the Sunday 14th February edition of the Guyana Times and Monday 15th edition of the Guyana Chronicle relative to Mahadeo Panchu’s, what I would describe as, warped perceptions of the Hindu leadership in Guyana.
Let me say unequivocally that I and perhaps the entire country only know Panchu as a publicist/ public relations officer of the Alesie Company in the initial stages of formation in Guyaan and not as an advocate of Hinduism more so as any religious leader, probably not even in the village that he resides.
1. The title of his article in the Sunday Times (whether chosen by the editor or his own) is not only irresponsible but offends and insults the intelligence of the entire Hindu community.  To describe our leaders as Khumkarrans smacks on his own values of decency and clear misunderstanding, misconstruction of the historical evolution of Hindus led by dedicated, conscientious, selfless and popular persons who walked with the Hindu man, woman and child in their clear defiance against economic, social and political persecution during the days of the PNC regime.
2. Panchu’s obsession of creating an alternative Hindu organisation is manifested in his public advocacy that he is the only person who has expressed sentiments on the desecration of Hindu festivals by some persons and has even gone as far as to identify candidates to be the leaders in the Hindu community. His assertion that persons/ organisations of other faiths would not tolerate such activities on their religious occasions I will opt to refrain to comment on. My opinion though is that this guy should really do some introspection and historical research.
3. Let me point out that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS)  has only recently celebrated 36 landmark years of its creation and celebrations were held in all the three counties, in mandirs, at symposiums, and a review of the organisation’s development and has publicly declared that the celebrations associated with the Hindu culture be done in an atmosphere of sanctity, pure and have spiritual content. The hostess of the weekly Kala Milan, Dr. Vindy Persaud, has consistently adumbrated the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence and insists on the observance of discipline and respect in our celebration. For him to arrive at the contrary is like the proverbial ostrich pushing its head in the sand.
4. Everyone knows that the executive committee of the GHDS is led by a person that maintains his intellectual acumen, charisma, unswerving in his faith in the Hindu community and fought tooth and nail when there were machinations to subdue, and destroy the very foundation of the Hindu rituals, philosophy and beliefs by the powers that be then. Those years many so called Hindu leaders ran, hid or became creatures of a dictatorial regime.
5. The leadership and members of the GHDS was therefore a natural ally of the opposition PPP and therefore joined forces in fighting for the restoration of democracy in this country. The Khumkarrans that Panchu refers to were definitely not the GHDS leadership. We were the Arjunas and the Pandavas in general in that historical battle.
6. The GHDS has been invited to participate in important consultations on national development initiatives and has members on a number of important government boards with the intent and purpose to advance the cause of the Hindu community and the nation as a whole. We present our views, and advocate our cause with press releases from time to time and being a responsible organisation we interface with the leadership of other religious bodies on issues of mutual interest.
7. The one off isolated aberration when it comes to activities on our auspicious days is not something that we approve of, In fact on many occasions I personally spoke on behalf of the GHDS to the previous commander of Division D to disallow certain activities that were inimical and irreligious from a Hindu standpoint. And I must say that the police were always cooperative.
8. In conclusion Mr. Editor let me say that Hindu Leadership is not in a crisis as some people would want to claim. In fact young people are being trained and exposed so as to take responsibilities when the time comes. I fervently hope that you will give the same prominence to this letter as you did for Mahadeo Panchu.