Mayaro MP Rushton Paray said as a society, we must unequivocally condemn the attack on the Bharatiya Vidya Abhyas Mandali Temple as a hate crime.
In a release this morning, Paray said the recent deliberate destruction of religious symbols and desecration of sacred spaces cannot be dismissed as mere vandalism or random acts of violence. It is a targeted assault on the Hindu community and an affront to the principles of tolerance and respect that we hold dear in Trinidad and Tobago.
He believes that we cannot afford to shy away from labelling attacks on religious places of worship as hate crimes.
“Doing so not only diminishes the severity of the offense but also fails to recognise the underlying bigotry and intolerance that motivate such actions. By accurately identifying these incidents as hate crimes, we send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated in our society.”
“Trinidad and Tobago is known for its diversity and culture of mutual respect among its various religious and ethnic communities. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to the actions of a minority of individuals who seek to sow discord and division through acts of violence and intimidation. It is incumbent upon us as leaders and as a society to confront these acts head-on and hold those responsible accountable for their actions,” Paray added.
He is calling on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate this attack and to pursue appropriate charges under hate crime legislation.
Furthermore, he is urging citizens to stand in solidarity with the Hindu community and to reject all forms of bigotry and intolerance.