The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha says it is impossible to overstate the “utter despicability and inhumanity of the cold blooded murder” of five children and six adults at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara which occurred on January 26 this year.

And in recognition of the nation’s bereavement and its need to reflect and find healing out of respect for the departed innocents, the Dharmic Sabha is calling on all Hindus in particular, and Guyanese in general, to observe Phagwah with restraint, the Hindu religious body said in a press release yesterday.

Moreover, the Sabha is specifically encouraging the observance of the religious and spiritual aspects of Phagwah and the use of fragrance and powder to exchange greetings instead of celebrating with water and coloured liquids.

“The Sabha,” the release said, “commits that its entire membership and all affiliated mandirs will observe Phagwah in this restrained fashion.”

Furthermore, the Sabha is calling on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to curtail the “excessive revelry” of Mashramani and to encourage a more restrained celebration.

In the wake of the recent massacre at Lusignan, the Hindu organization underscored that in all its existence it has worked for peace, harmony, ethnic and religious tolerance and respect.

It pledged that it will continue in this work and called on all Guyanese to work for togetherness and peace.