Dear Editor,
The authorities should have taken urgent steps to protect Hindu places of worship, the hotel, the home of the hotel owner, and Indians after the reported missing of the child. Had the police done their job, violence would not have followed.
Rumors were circulating about alleged human sacrifices to a Hindu Goddess Kali when no evidence was offered about that practice or that someone was actually sacrificed. The child reportedly accidentally drowned. Drowning is not an act of sacrifice in any faith. People gave a misleading view of the worshiping of Kali. The Goddess provides protection and destroys evil.
The Hindu and Indian community suffered vandalism, arson, and targeted violence. In the past, the authorities repeatedly fail to investigate and prosecute such violence against Indians.
There was also an attack on the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi by an idiot. It is unacceptable.
Data shows that around 60 percent of Indians are Hindu, 15 percent Muslim and 24 percent Christian. As the majority religion of Indians and as a minority group, Hindus must be protected.
Freedom of speech does not guarantee an attack on a faith or on a race. Hate is not protected by the Guyana constitution or any constitution. The police must prosecute those responsible for the desecration of temples and violence against Indians as well as hate speech against Hindus.
The recent attacks on Hindus in fueled by hate speech are against the values of the Constitution and need to stop.
The government must show in words and action that it is serious about a commitment to democracy and human rights. Go after the haters and violent attackers.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
