WIN candidate and MP attack Guyana’s largest Hindu organisation on New Year’s Day

Public statements made on Facebook on New Year’s Day by Vishnu Panday, a Member of Parliament, and Dwarka Bahadur, a candidate of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), have drawn criticism after the pair called for a boycott of activities associated with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, one of the country’s oldest, most prominent, and largest Hindu organisations.

Guyana has a long history of religious tolerance, with Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and other faiths coexisting peacefully for decades. Community members argue that singling out a major Hindu organiaation for boycott represents a departure from this tradition, noting that WIN candidates have not issued comparable calls regarding any other religious organisation.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has historically been central to the preservation of Hindu culture, religious practices, and community life in Guyana. The organisation maintains the largest network of affiliated mandirs in the country and organises major national cultural events, including the Diwali Motorcade and Kala Utsav, a cultural showcase that nurtures young talent, along with numerous activities held around national Hindu holidays.

The call for a boycott by Bahadur, which was publicly defended by Panday on Facebook, has raised concern within the Hindu community. Many view the Sabha as a cultural and religious institution dedicated to heritage preservation, youth development, and community service, rather than political engagement.

Critics have also noted that WIN candidates have not made similar demands or criticisms toward any other religious group, leading to concerns that the actions of its members may be aimed at influencing or manipulating Hindu voters. This has added to unease within the Hindu community, particularly given the long-standing role of the Sabha as a unifying and non-partisan institution.

WIN is led by Azzurdin Mohamed, who is currently sanctioned by the United States and facing extradition proceedings, a fact which critics say heightens concern over the party’s candidates recent attacks on long-established religious institutions.