By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE vandalism of the Carapo Shiv Madir must be condemned especially as the burglars had no respect for the sacrality of the religious compound.
Even more heinous, apart from stolen jewellery placed around murtis was the presence and consumption of beef on the compound in the section considered most sacred.
On Friday and Saturday, members of the temple found the temple ransacked and vandalised, items missing and corned beef cooked in one of the pots used to make parsad, a traditional sweet made for religious ceremonies.
Speaking to TV Jaagriti on Sunday, legal advisor to the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Dinesh Rambally said the greatest sins in the Hindu religion was firstly, the killing of another human being with the exception of war and the second greatest sin was the killing of a cow and the partaking of its meat.
“You have one of the greatest sins in Hindu law taking place at the Carapo Hindu Temple,” Rambally said.
The meat was also taken into the most sacred part of the temple.
While the compound was not very large, there was an inner place of worship and an adjoining compound where cooking and other activities took place, he said.
He noted that many citizens expressed their outrage on social media.
“Everyone knows in Hindu tradition that meat is not something that is permitted if you want to keep upkeep certain rituals, you have to stay away from the meat for 21 days etc… I don’t want to get too much into that. Further to that, most people would know that beef is a no in terms of Hindu religion,” Rambally said.
He said as soon as members saw what happened, the matter was reported to the police who were very quick to act and fingerprinting at the facility was done.
Unfortunately, the fingerprinting exercise
Rambally who is an attendee at the temple said clean up exercises were taking place, repairs will be conducted as there were broken doors and glass which he is hoping to be completed as soon as possible.
He also said pundits will be looking at an auspicious time to have an atonement for the environment.
“Why this is done, the temple is considered a place of pilgrimage and by doing this, the temple becomes pure again,” Rambally said.
When that prayer was held, he said the SDMS will issue a full statement.
While citizens of Trinidad and Tobago lived in a multi-cultural and religious society, Rambally said, “What has happened has pointed to a sad and unfortunate reality which speaks to vandalism, somewhat religious intolerance and vindictiveness.”
The Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West is also hoping that the temple would be ready for use again by June as it was an auspicious month dedicated to Lord Shiva.
He added that the temple was not just a place of worship but also of community activities.
“This temple has allowed many citizens to maintain their religious and cultural identity,” Rambally said.
