[www.inewsguyana.com] – 2015 is yet to conclude but already there is brewing controversy over the 2016 date for Diwali, with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha saying it is October 30, 2016 and the Government saying October 29, 2016.
The Dharmic Sabha in a statement noted that a list of holidays for 2016 including Diwali as the 29th of November has been recently released by Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.
The Group however states that it was not consulted nor involved in any discussion with the Minister of Public Security.
“The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha wishes to express its disappointment at the manner in which Minister Ramjattan has declared the National holiday for Diwali 2016. As she always did, the late Angela Johnson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, wrote to the Dharmic Sabha asking for the Phagwah and Diwali dates for 2016 and these were sent to the Ministry in September 2015; Phagwah – March 23 and Diwali – October 30. This was apparently ignored,” the release stated.
The Hindu Association is accusing the Minister of attempting to perpetuate strife and division within the Hindu community.
“We see this as an act to perpetuate discord in the Hindu community by the Minister. We had hoped the Minister would see the wisdom in engaging the Sabha and other large Hindu bodies (the Hare Krishna Movement, Guyana Central Arya Samaj, Maha Kali Movement) in declaring the Hindu holidays for 2016.”
For the 2015 date there was also a lot of controversy, which led to the issue being politicized. Ramjattan had issued a decree that the Diwali 2015 date would be November 10, but the Dharmic Sabha insisted that the date was November 11.
Guyana is not the only country that had issues over the date with one part of India observing Diwali on November 10 and another on November 11.
He has no light or some one dead for him so he can”t light diya because when some one dead for you ,you said i can’t light so mabe amla or some one else
You recognize the auspicious day of your conscious and stop with the politicians. Every day is a “Holy” day
the biggest idiots this country have now “Celebrate when yuh want” and Ramjattan, Ramjattan need to be relief of his position, he is a real dumb fool
let him go after the criminals
Maybe Dharmic should get their act together. Who give Dharmic the right to dictate the dates in the first place? Did Dharmic consult the other major HIndu organizations in the past? What gives them the right to cry now that another group of organizations are providing the dates?
Come on Hindus, go celebrate the holiday as you always have done just like you always have with the date the Government of declares it to be. Stop listening to idiots who are raising problems because dem get boot out.
Hindus need to think for themselves and stop listening to useless politicians that are out to divide the country buy playing the politics card.
where is the social cohesion minister? where is she in this conflict hee alone with her minister is a waste of tax payer dollars
Mr. Ramjatan you are with wrong people. Please don’t think that power will stay forever.
The hindu organizations got to come together hold one head and deside on the one date
For all these decades that Diwali has been a national holiday we never had this problem. Why is it that Ramjattan is causing these problems now? What exactly is his agenda?
Ramjattan is intentionally causing strife in the community. His actions appear to be politically motivated.
Can’t this Minister get his act together. Why not consult with the major Hindu organizations within Guyana to confirm a date for this national holiday. Ramgoat is on his high horse these days. His long rope will come to an end soon.