- says the events’ organising committee is ‘unfamiliar’ with views of Hindu community
THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has condemned the planned hosting of the Miss Diwali Pageant 2008 that is being organised by the Guyana National Diwali Committee.

In a press release yesterday, the Dharmic Sabha said Deepavali is a festival of deep spiritual significance.

“The Sabha is concerned about an advertisement which appeared in the Guyana Times Newspaper on September 24, 2008, announcing a Miss Diwali Pageant organised by a National Diwali Committee whose membership is as yet unidentified,’ it stated.

“It is presumed that this Committee is unfamiliar with the views of the Hindu community on the subject of hosting pageants to coincide with our sacred Hindu festival,” the release said.

“Perhaps this Committee is unaware that the Sabha and the Hindu community has over the years condemned the hosting of the Miss Diwali Pageants and has in the past gotten many of these events withdrawn,” it noted.

“This new attempt to reintroduce the Pageant shows contempt for the feeling and conviction of the Hindu religion and community. We are strongly opposed to the pageant,” it exhorted.

The Sabha pointed out that Diwali is a time when the Goddess Lakshmi is adored and worshipped. The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, for more than three decades, has been promoting this great festival in its pristine form.

Deepavali (Diwali) has grown nationally and people from all walks of life share in this celebration, the Sabha noted.