“Offensive and disrespectful.”
That is how former president of the Trinidad Muslim League, Dr Nasser Mustapha, yesterday described secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Sat Maharaj’s attack on Archbishop Joseph Harris, over his comment that child marriage was legal statutory rape.
Saying Maharaj’s tirade does not promote religious harmony in T&T, Mustapha, a senior lecturer in sociology and deputy dean of graduate studies at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, said Maharaj’s comments were “offensive and uncalled for.”
“I know what he meant to say but it came across as offensive and his choice of words was disrespectful. I feel he could have disagreed in a more civil manner.
“I know his intentions were good but he came across as aggressive. What he said does not augur well for relations because we should be building bridges for greater harmony between communities.
“We must be concerned about the overall stability of our country. This will create friction among the congregations so I cannot support what he said at all,” Mustapha said.
He was referring to Maharaj’s call at an Arrival Day function that Harris should “mind his own business” and “go to hell” for what he (Maharaj) saw as the archbishop’s attack on the Hindu faith over child marriage issues.
Asked how he felt about Maharaj’s claims that child marriages were “Hindu business,” Mustapha said that was not so.
“All religious communities must conform with our laws. There are the Hindu, Muslim and Orisha Marriage Acts but even if your community believes in something and considers it your business it has to be ratified by the laws of the land.
“You cannot say it is your business. It has to be approved by the Government and must conform with the laws of the State.”
Saying Maharaj may have become emotional while speaking within his own Hindu circle, Mustapha said he should now do the right thing and apologise.
Asked whether he was in support of the move to change the Marriage Act, Mustapha said he had not yet read the proposed legislation so he could not comment.
He said, however, that the Inter-religious Organisation would not condone what Maharaj said.
But contacted yesterday, Maharaj said he would not apologise.
“I speak on behalf of the Hindu community and he (Mustapha) speaks on behalf of the Muslim community. I am entitled to my view and he is entitled to his,” Maharaj said.
Saying he stood by his comments, Maharaj said the question of an apology did not arise.
“The Hindus have a view. I stand by my view. I have not changed it so why should I apologise?” Maharaj asked.
In a radio interview yesterday, Archbishop Harris said he had no response to Maharaj’s harsh criticisms.
“I have never disrespected any religious leader in T&T. I don’t intend to lower myself and get down in that kind of behaviour so I prefer not to comment,” Harris said.
He also said he was not taking Maharaj’s criticisms seriously.
“The only person who can send me to hell is Almighty God so I am not in hell. If Almighty God condemns me to hell I will be quaking in my boots but you don’t get condemned to hell for speaking the truth,” he added.