டிரினிடாட் டுபாகோவில் இந்துகோவிலை எரிக்க முயற்சி: மக்கள் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம்

டிரினிடாட் டுபாகோவில் ஹனுமான் சிலையை உடைத்து அங்குள்ள கோவிலை எரிக்க முயற்சி நடந்துள்ளதை இந்துக்கள் கண்டித்துள்ளார்கள்.

அதற்கெதிராக ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நடத்தியுள்ளார்கள்.

இந்த நாட்டில் இந்துக்கள் கோவிலுக்கு போவதை தடுக்கவும், அவர்களது வழிபாட்டு உரிமைகளை மறுப்பதற்கும் கிறிஸ்துவ மிஷனரிகளும், கிறிஸ்துவ தீவிரவாதிகளும்தொடர்ந்து வேலை செய்துவருகிறார்கள் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

SACRILEGE
Hundreds protest attack on Temple on the Sea
Louis B Homer South Bureau
Sunday, August 5th 2007

RELIGIOUS CRIME: The disfigured murti of Lord Hanuman which was smashed after vandals attacked the Sewdas Sadhu Shiva Mandir on the sea at Waterloo on Friday.

Every day, at least 50 people visit the Temple on the Sea at Waterloo, Central Trinidad.

After the news broke that an attempt was made to burn the temple, there were hundreds of visitors who went to view the damage or to express their disgust about the incident.

Owner of the temple Randolph Rampersad said four murtis (statues) were damaged and bundled together, several windows were damaged and an attempt was made to burn the 12-year-old shrine, which replaced one constructed in 1949 by an East Indian immigrant, Sewdas Sadhu.

The four murtis that were damaged are of Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesh, Hannuman Baba and Mother Durga. Rampersad said, "It will cost approximately $100,000 to repair the damage done to the temple."

The Rampersad family was shocked at the extent off the damage done to the temple.

"It was shocking that someone or some group would try to destroy the mandir, which has become a national shrine," said a family member.

Rampersad said he had no idea who would want to destroy the building. "We have no animosity with any one in the area," he said.

Freeport police received information that six masked men were seen in the area around midnight on Friday.

The Sunday Express learned that villagers had complained to the management of the temple about oyster vendors plying their trade in close proximity to the temple.

According to the Hindu religion, the sale or use of flesh in close proximity to a place of worship is generally forbidden.

Bainnati Rajkoomar, caretaker of the temple, said she closed the temple around 6 p.m. on Friday and when she opened the building yesterday morning, she was shocked by what she saw.

"I was shocked and sad to see the state of the building. I could not believe my eyes. Four murtis were [bundled] together on the floor, the whole place was desecrated and there were signs that an attempt was made to burn the building."

Rajkoomar said it was not the first time people had damaged the temple: "It was vandalised many times before but this time was the worst," she said.

Rajkoomar lives within striking distance of the temple but she said she did not hear any unusual noise or see any strange people in the area.

Councillor Allan Seepersad, of the Couva/Tabaquite/ Talparo Regional Corporation, said the council had written the Minister of National Security, asking for round-the-clock protection for the temple.

"We are renewing that call today in view of the damage done to the property," he said.

Rajendra Rampersad, who went to inspect the damage, said, "It is true that whoever went into the building did not remove any of the valuables, but one thing is sure-they have taken away a part of my heart."

As the owners of the temple met on site to discuss ways and means of restoring the temple to its original condition, there was a long line of curious spectators and devotees expressing their horror at the damage done to the temple.

One woman who was visiting as a devotee of Sai Baba, said war should be declared on those who are trying to destroy the peace and sanctity of the place. "I come here because it is one of the few places I find peace and quiet."

Freeport police are investigating.