EVERY decent and concerned citizen would empathise with the sentiments expressed in a letter written by Pandit Suresh Sugrim headlined, “Domestic Violence epidemic shaking the family foundation”.

I hope he was not among those who scoffed on or made snide remarks when more than a decade ago, noting a decline in our society, I urged a moral and spiritual revival.

Beyond this, let us take a look at the second paragraph of his letter: “President Bharrat Jagdeo has called on the nation, as well as its religious leaders and NGOs to help fight and put an end to this act of brutality that is presently destroying the moral fabric in our society. Are we ready to stamp out domestic violence?”

The vital issue, which the Pandit somehow failed to deal with in its totality, is Moral Leadership.

Ours in a small society and long gone are the days of ‘do as I say, not like I do.’

Dear Pandit starting from the very top of our social, political and religious ladder, you and others need to deal fearlessly with all forms of domestic violence, psychological, physical and mental imposed by those who need set the example.

If we fail then ordinary citizens will follow the pattern they perceive is being set from those on high.

People do wrong deeds based on the opportunities available to them. The man who adjust figures to steal and the man who snatches a purse on the street are both thieves.

Most of the violence we see originates from a poor understanding of the family unit and the sanctity of Marriage (legal, common law, or other) or, if we prefer, the quality of man woman relationship shown to the society by our leaders is important.

In Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands love your wives even as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it.”

I hope Pandit and Pastors and all can be bold and true and stand up to the core issues that may very well be driving this demonic character in our society.

The Hadith of Bukhari (Islam) notes “your wife has rights over you.”

In April 1978 Rev. Moon said, “you who are born as a woman should have the attitude that you will love your husband as God and as the representative of all humanity. Unless you love him more than anyone in the world, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Likewise, you men should know that unless you love only one woman, and love her as God and the representative of all humanity, you cannot love God or humanity.”

The Hindu holy books request both parties to be faithful to the pledge made at a Hindu wedding ceremony.

Who can disagree with Burke when he intoned, “Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.”

Unity, freedom and justice should characterise the body politics at all levels.