THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has thrown its support behind the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and is calling on the government to rescind the November 10 date declared for the celebration of Diwali.The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is strongly holding out that Diwali should be celebrated on November 11, and equally, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, who is guided by the Viraat Sabha, is not budging on the November 10 date set for the national holiday.

According to the Dharmic Sabha, Diwali which occurs annually on Amawasya or the new moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik is the 15th Tithi in the dark half of Kartik and the darkest night of the year.
And according to the Panchang/ Patra, this occurs on November 11.
“This coincides exactly with the western astronomers’ calculation of the new moon which is listed for Guyana as occurring on November 11 at 13:47 hrs. The new- moon effect will be experienced as darkness falls, the Dharmic Sabha said, adding that performing Maha Lakshmi Puja on November 11 would, therefore, be on new- moon day as prescribed.”
The Viraat Sabhaa is however arguing that what is explicit, as contained in the Kaashi Panchang/Patra – an annual publication on astrology and Hinduism – is that Pradosh Kaal, Nisheet and Mahaa Nischeet Kaal (all being auspicious times), are present on November 10.
With Amawasya (dark night) ending on 13:47 hrs on Wednesday, November 11, after which, automatically, a new moon begins, Viraat Sabhaa is arguing that this further confirms November 10 as the official day, since the festival cannot be observed in the new moon, but must be on the darkest night of the year.
The PPP in a statement on Friday said before the beginning of each calendar year the Minister of Home Affairs is provided with a list of holiday dates to be observed throughout the country for the in-coming year.
Long before the May 2015 elections, former Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee had signed off on the dates for the national holidays.
Since the declaration that Diwali will be celebrated on November 10, Minister Ramjattan has been the subject of much criticism, with many calling on him to withdraw the date, but he has remained defiant.
Many have contended that apart from the timing of the festival, the issue is also rooted in the traditions of India. In South India, the festival is celebrated on November 10 and November 11 in North India, from where the majority of immigrants to Guyana originated. The North Indian tradition many have contended, is more relevant to Guyana.
The PPP said it unequivocally supports the call of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha for the festival to be celebrated on November 11, saying that there must be no political interference in religious affairs.
“Further, the party demands the political date given as a national holiday be withdrawn forthwith and that November 11, 2015, be declared the national holiday as agreed and reflected in all calendars issued in the national territory of Guyana,” the release concluded.