THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has forthrightly condemned the recent arson attack on the Shree Krishna Dharmic Mandir in Hydronie (Parika), East Bank Essequibo.“This attack on a sacred house of worship must be seen as an act of sacrilege committed on our Hindu brothers and sisters and the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice,” the IAC said in a statement yesterday.

Further, the IAC believes that this unprovoked and callous act is counter-productive to the enviable religious tolerance Guyana is known for. The country’s religious and cultural diversity has been the hallmark of tolerance, peace and tranquility in the co-habitation of its peoples. The participation and celebration in each other’s cultural and religious observances has been the pillar in the fostering of nationhood.

The IAC said such acts have the potential to pose challenges to the harmony and exemplary religious forbearance that exist across the length and breadth of our country. It is in this context that the IAC urges the authorities to “spare no effort” and to be “relentless in pursuing those responsible for this despicable act and to ensure that they be made to face the brunt of the law”.

This act evokes painful memories of the trauma suffered when devotees of the Alexander Village Mandir and residents in the vicinity were bombarded with firecrackers. Relief was only possible following the intervention of the law enforcement agency. While this is welcomed, the IAC believes that the stringent measures adopted by the authorities to prevent a recurrence, remain necessary.

Such a situation, unfortunately, symbolises the level of intolerance and hatred in the hearts of a mischievous few. The IAC said it would also like to express the profound sense of sadness it feels following the arson attack on the Mandir and urges the devotees to remain resilient despite the current challenges.