Dear Editor,

A PANDIT was beaten to death just over a week ago by defiant drunks. As I gather from reading the newspapers and my own experience travelling on the coast, Guyana has become a very violent society with little value placed on human life. Alcoholism and drug abuse is a growing problem that must be addressed.

Many Hindu Guyanese in chat groups and social media say they are embarrassed and ashamed of the killing of the pandit by drunks. Hindu advocate, Nanda Sahadeo, in a commentary in another media, shamed political and religious figures for not speaking out against the murder of the religious figure or alcohol abuse. Many Guyanese, mostly but not exclusively Hindus, in the diaspora feel the response to this murder is crucial for the nation. The state and public’s response will determine how society confront hidden social ills. The public can’t expect the state to address and solve all social problems. The private sector and NGOs, including religious organisations, have an important role to play in addressing this social ill. Everyone must speak out against social ills of society regardless of the religious and ethnic background of victims and perpetrators. The state has a role providing resources to address the problem.

The last time a religious figure was brutally killed was some forty years ago when Burnham’s thugs (affiliated with the then government’s para-military House of Israel wing) killed (knifed) Father Bernard Darke, a Jesuit priest. The difference between father Darke’s murder and Rishi’s death is that the former was sanctioned by the State, whereas in the latter the State had no role and condemn it. If the police had done their job, Pandit Bharrat would have been alive today. Fr. Darke’s murder made global news and resulted in domestic and international condemnation. Christian, Muslim, and Hindu entities, and prominent individuals and political parties (PPP, WPA, UF, etc.) in the society, as well as local civic and regional Christian organisations condemned Father Darke’s assassination.  The pandit’s murder received widespread local coverage though it did not make international news, not even in the Indian or Hindu diaspora or in the ancestral homeland India; however, it was all over social media. Where is the outrage over Pandit Rishi Bharrat’s death?

Shrimati Nanda Sahadeo, a social activist, rightly asks who speaks for or on behalf of Hindus or Indians when they face egregious (sometimes self-inflicted) violence or are murdered and who suggests a course of action to address this ill. Who champions their causes?

It is noted that the murder of Pandit Rishi Bharrat has not attracted the interest of Christian priests or Islamic mulvi, imam, or meiji. But where are the Hindu religious figures and heads of organisations. Why did they fail to come out and condemn what happened? With rum (uncontrolled drunken behaviour) and loud noise, and perhaps drugs, playing a role in the ghastly act, what is the response of the government, politicians, police, NGOs, community organisations and religious bodies to this malady? Conversations are being held in local Indian (and Hindu) and diaspora communities, mandirs, living rooms, and local and diaspora NGOs about what happens next.

It is unfortunate that no local organisation (not even the Human rights association) or political party or religious body has publicly condemned the brutal killing of a Hindu religious figure. It is noted that Region Six sends more than six MPs to Parliament. Anil Nandlall (not a Berbice representative) and the ever-present Zulfikar Mustapha (Corentyne MP and party rep) are saluted for visiting the family and condoling their loss.

Indo-Guyanese in the diaspora are trying to grapple with this very painful and traumatic incident. Some ask how could 11 relatively young men brutally attack a religious figure and not one of them or neighbours had the decency to attempt to stop the violence. What kind of society is being built, what moral values learned, when drunken hooligans can beat up a religious figure?
Alcoholism permeates the country. Because of alcohol abuse, the Indian community tends to be stigmatised as I overheard non-Indians referring to Indians. What actions will be taken to address alcoholism and this stigma? How do Guyanese in their communities, or as a country, or as a diaspora react against alcoholism, violence, and other maladies that afflict our country in order to create permanent positive social change.

Domestic violence, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, alcoholism, school drop outs, and other social lead to anti-social behaviour and vice versa; all are inter-connected. They must be addressed co-operatively by government and NGOs and religious bodies. Successive governments have rightly focused on creating a better life for people, paying almost all attention on economics. Government does not pay attention to social and moral values as it can’t dictate a moral lifestyle. Social and moral issues are very low on the agenda of politicians. The public will have to take actions lobbying politicians to raise the importance of social maladies on the political radar. Religious figures and civic groups as well as voters must up the pressure on politicians.

It is noted that neither the AG nor politicians have asked why the police didn’t show up to the scene when called about the alleged killers’ misbehaviour. Why isn’t there an inquiry into the police conduct? Why didn’t neighbours intervene as they would in village life when there are confrontations among villagers? Why didn’t one or more of the perpetrators attempt to stop the others?

It is suggested that violence and social ills in the Crabwood Creek area have increased since the closure of the Skeldon estate. Government should commission a study of the effect on CWC of closure of Skeldon sugar estate.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram