THE Sanatan Dharm Per Upkaaric Sabha, a Hindu organisation established at Charity, Essequibo Coast since 1997, has been making concerted efforts to arrest the increased incidents of suicide in Region Two.Its president, Rameshwar Jagarnauth, told the Guyana Chronicle that the organisation, formed to unite the Hindu community on the Essequibo Coast, has been educating followers about the scourge of suicide through satsangs (lectures) and workshops in its temples.

Some 11 temples on the northern Essequibo Coast are under the Sabha, which has an estimated following of over 10,000.

“We hold regular satsangs, where we address suicide and other social issues, but more particularly suicide. So we do not look only at the spiritual side of Hinduism, but (at) other issues as well. Our aim (is) to spread spiritual awareness among our devotees and make a positive difference in people’s lives, and to show them an alternative to an immoral and unproductive/unconstructive life,” Jagarnauth said.

He pointed out that, based on a survey, the Sabha found that most persons who attempt to commit suicide lack spiritual direction and awakening. Most likely, he said, it would not be quite different for persons who had taken their lives.
According to him, while many of these persons identify themselves as Hindus, in actuality they are Hindus only by association, and not by practice.

Hinduism forbids the killing of animals and the eating of meat, and is strongly against persons wilfully taking their own lives. Generally, committing suicide is considered a violation of the code of ahimsa (non-violence), and is therefore equally sinful as murdering another.

According to Subramuniyaswami Sivaya, suicide only accelerates the intensity of karma, bringing a series of immediate lesser births and requiring several lives for the soul to return to the exact evolutionary point that existed at the moment of suicide, at which time the still-existing karmic entanglement must again be faced and resolved.

Hinduism accepts a person’s right to end his/her life through the non-violent practice of fasting to death, known as Prayopavesa. But Prayopavesa is strictly restricted for old age yogis who have no desire or ambition left, and no responsibilities remaining in this life. Another example is dying in a battle to save one’s honour.

Suicide is a major problem in Guyana, and the Government has begun to look for the root causes of the scourge with the hope of rooting them out.
In Guyana, 34.7 per 100,000 deaths are from suicide. It was erroneously reported in both the local and international press that the figure is 44.2 per 100,000. This is way above the global average of 11.4 per 100,000, and towers over the average rate of 6.1 per 100,000 in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Aside from an absence of spiritual awareness, depression and domestic issues are among the chief causes of the scourge on the Essequibo Coast, Jagarnauth said.

Given the magnitude of the problem, a suicide hotline has been established on the Essequibo Coast, and the Sabha has offered to work along with the region, but its proposal has received no response from regional officials.

Jagarnauth said the religious body intends to go ahead and set up its own hotline, but remains open to working with all stakeholders in tackling the problem.
“We will not target Hindus alone, but persons of all races, religions and creeds. Suicide is not only a problem in the Hindu community, it is a national problem,” he said.

The Sabha has, since establishment, been engaged in numerous charitable activities that range from providing medical assistance to persons in need to hosting medical outreaches.

“Our role is to propagate Dharma, which is service to the people. We want a better, peaceful and a more progressive society. Aside from our satsangs, we also hold Bhagavat Gita and musical classes, celebrate our culture, and reward our pupils who perform exceptionally well in school,” the Sabha president said.

The organisation is supported by the business community, membership fees and fund-raising activities.
Collections from its mandirs go towards an Emergency Fund which is used to assist members, or anyone outside its membership, who need medical help.