Dear Editor,
Why is the Government of Guyana enabling the bombing out of Diwali? At what point did Hindu leaders and organisations decide that Diwali should become a traumatising event for humans and animals, full of the reminders of the destructive forces which the light is supposed to challenge? Why does the Government allow the open sale of bombs and other ‘noise makers’ during Diwali? Is the Government allowing Guyanese to use Diwali to blow off steam and their frustrations during Diwali? How come Guyanese never used bombs and so on during Mashramani (already full of noise in some parts) and Independence and so?
Did Hindu leaders and organisations and the general Hindu samaj decide to stay silent and allow the Government to turn Diwali into an unhappy and terrible event for many living beings? Is there a connection between the dependence on bombs and noise makers for emotional release during Diwali and the new ways in which Guyanese are learning to harm and kill each other – like now driving into a crowd?
Is there a connection between the removal of green spaces around Guyana and the Government’s deafness to the bombs and squibs and so on during Diwali?
At what point will the oil money be used to create a society in which Guyanese buy tools and attitudes which promote nurturing and care, in which Guyanese can connect with the environment and each other? Can Hindus and their leaders advocate for Diwali to be Happy for everyone?
Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon
Discussion