HPI
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, June 25, 2019 (HPI by Paras Ramoutar): Murtis representing nine Hindu Gods and Goddesses were critically damaged by fire at the Shree Dhaam Hindu Temple in Diego Martin earlier this week. Murtis included Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lord Hanuman, Mother Sarsawati. Mother Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh. According to SWAHA Shree Ram Dhaam Temple founder and former Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to India, Pundit Manideo Persad, the incident had left him, “saddened and confused.” After reviewing the CCTV recording, “it appeared that the suspects were aiming to set the entire temple on fire. It is abhorrent that a temple, especially one such as this with such a presence in this community has been here for almost 40 years, should be attacked,” Pundit Persad, told the media. Pundit Persad said that the fire was contained in the ground floor and there does not seem to be any structural damage to the building. In recent years, several Hindu temples were attacked, and no one was ever apprehended. Pundit Ramesh Tiwari, spiritual leader of the Edinburgh Hindu Temple, pointed out that, “The level of intolerance against Hindu temples has been questioned with no positive responses from the government authorities and services, and devotees continue to live in fear.”