In an article entitled "Old age pensioners at UTT," attributed to Satnarine Maharaj of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha and published on October 7, a specific reference was made to me. This I would address together with other pertinent and allied matters. I do not intend to mount a defence of my academic standing but would indicate that if one were to Google Prakash Persad or speak to the hundreds of my former students, many of whom hold very senior positions here and abroad, a vastly more accurate picture, one that is significantly different from that painted by Mr Maharaj, would be on view. Mr Maharaj and the writer of his column are fully aware that I did not retire from the UWI but rather resigned. One must ask the question as to why Mr Maharaj seeks to portray a Hindu like himself, one who is a pandit and professor, engaged in nation and institutional building, in such a negative light?
Some time a ago, Mr Maharaj and another leader, one now retired by the party he founded, sought to and did manage to whip up anti-Swaha hysteria with such venom that their intent was clearly to destroy the very organisation that initiated the Hindu renaissance in T&T and from which the country and the Maha Sabha itself benefited. Clearly personal agendas, to some, are a lot more important than that of the nation or its followers. Swaha survived and was strengthened by this assault, one that was uncannily reminiscent of the assault mounted upon the sages of yore by the raakshas of the evil Ravan and Kans. This was due to the sincerity, integrity and power of its inspirational Spiritual Leader and founder, HH Shankaracharya Pt Hari Prasad.
Despite the adharmic vicious attacks mounted on Swaha, its pandits and leadership maintained and continue to maintain its core strategy of constructive engagement and the organisation continues to grow and progress. Get used to it, sir, we are here to stay. Many of the followers of the Maha Sabha were initially taken in by the anti-Swaha propaganda spouted by Mr Maharaj and those of his ilk. This is no longer the case for, as the saying goes, "you may fool all the people for a time, you may fool some people all the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time." While the Swaha has always had cordial relations with all fellow Hindu organisations, over the past few years, rather cordial relations have developed with many devotees, families and pandits from both organisations.
The Maha Sabha, a venerable Hindu organisation, was subjected to discriminatory practices in its quest for a radio licence and this injustice was rectified. The lead attorney in this case was Anand Ramlogan, now Attorney General of T&T, whose guru is the Paramacharya (Spiritual Head) of Swaha. Swaha rejoiced and still continues to so do despite the fact that in this free-market economy a yagya in which a Swaha pandit is officiating is yet to be broadcast on Radio Jagriti. Clearly the espoused slogan "the official voice of the Hindu community" is neither true nor appropriate. It alleged by many who are affiliated to Swaha, through having Swaha pandits as their gurus or are Swaha members and/or attend Swaha temples, that in interviews for teaching positions at Maha Sabha schools they are summarily rejected.
One would think that those who have suffered discrimination would understand the grave injustice it constitutes and would refrain from so practising. What kind of leadership would condone such behaviour? Hindus have traditionally been at the lower end of the social ladder and have been subjected, over the period of their presence here, to a variety of prejudices and discrimination in their quest for the rights and equality of treatment as citizens. It has been a long traumatic journey. We have made some progress but a lot more needs to be done. In this new era of diversity and multiculturalism, leaders that are respectful of diversity, who command the high moral ground through integrity and practice, are needed. People say show me your leader and I will know who you are. The question that faces the membership of the Maha Sabha is this: Are you comfortable with your leader? Recent events have shown that this is the year for change.
Prakash Persad is the director of Swaha Inc