Dharmic Sabha urges all to respect religious significance of Phagwah

See below full release from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha: 

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is extremely happy that this year we will be celebrating Phagwah much as we are accustomed to after a 2-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are sure that Guyanese are thrilled to, once again, engage in Phagwah playing, we remind you to be safe and pay heed to the COVID-19 guidelines.

We also want to reiterate a call that we make each year for the festival of Phagwah to be respected. We strongly urge promoters and event managers to desist from associating Phagwah and Holi, the usage of the names and the elements of the festival with events that are alien in nature to the festival, which has both spiritual and social dimensions.

Events which promote alcohol, non-vegetarian foods, vulgarity and lewdness have no place in Phagwah celebrations. Linking such events to Phagwah constitutes gross disrespect and desecration of this lovely festival which encourages unity, love, equality and fraternity.

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha trusts that all will respect this call, and that we can have the festival enjoyed in its pristine form where all Guyanese, including families, can enjoy the beauty of Phagwah unencumbered by any act that will desecrate the significance of the festival.