by Sunita Viswanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights and Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus

NOTE: THE HINDUS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BLOG IS A SPACE FOR A HEALTHY EXPLORATION OF IDEAS PERTINENT TO OUR MISSION. THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF HINDUS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

I have just returned from Paris where I was visiting my son who is studying there this summer. I took a walk through the South Asian neighborhoods around Gare du Nord and La Chappelle, and visited the Ganesha Temple on Rue Pajol.

Even though it was mid-morning on a Wednesday, there was a steady traffic of men and women, all of them Tamil speaking, who were there either to spend a quiet moment or to do an archana to Lord Ganesha.

The elderly gentleman at the desk near the entrance of this tiny store-front temple was selling archana baskets for 8 Euros. He greeted everyone who entered with a smile and a kind word. When I asked if I could speak with him, he immediately agreed and pulled up a small stool. At first, I spoke in my halting and grammatically atrocious Tamil, but he quickly rescued me by speaking in English.  I was incredibly moved that the only message he had to share was one of love and peace.

Here is a transcript of what he shared with me:

My name is Jaya Ratnam. I am actually not from France. I first lived in Malaysia and then Sri Lanka. Then when we had all the trouble in Sri Lanka, I came here.  

It was terrible in Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese were mostly Buddhists and we Tamils were mostly Hindus. Our shops were burned, so many died. My Sinhalese friends told me it was time to leave or else I too would be killed. My family left just in time. 

People get into politics and want power. Then they forget the true meaning of their religion, whether it is Buddhism or Hinduism. They commit crimes and face the consequences also.  

I speak to people who come to the temple. They feel dejected. Many, like my family, have left their motherland not out of choice, but in an emergency. In order to make a living or to save their lives. Everyone dispersed. Now people are traumatized. And they are sad because their children don’t speak Tamil and don’t keep our customs and traditions. 

I have been to India four times, but always because of hockey. I was on the national team in Sri Lanka. But we played India four times and just couldn’t beat them. They are hockey masters, especially their Punjabi players.

That was all a long time ago. I worked as an accountant for a company called Maldives Shipping. I was married and raised a family. I am 88 now. My wife passed away some years ago. But I have children who are all settled in the UK, and also grandchildren. I go every few months to see them, celebrate birthdays and other occasions. But my life is here because of my brother in law. He asked me to manage this temple.

My brother-in-law Sanderasekaram started this temple way back in 1985. It was very small then, and hard to find. About ten years ago, we moved here to this location. Now many people come here, even French people come and sit here to pray and meditate. We also have another hall nearby where we can have gatherings. People have weddings there. My brother in law was very ill and passed away in 2013. I was in Paris when he was in the hospital in Madras. The doctors said there was nothing more they could do for him. I got a call from him saying, “Attan, you only must manage the temple.”  Since then, I have been keeping my word to him. 

I don’t have time for the internet but I watch the news on the TV. When I see news from India, I feel love is lost. Politicians raise their heads and take positions, and there is no way of breathing. Unity is forgotten. I don’t understand why there is so much division – we should live in peace and be happy together. 

Opposition to hate is important. In Sri Lanka, not every Sinhalese person was against the Tamils. I had my own friends who cared for my safety. And we also had the Tamil Tigers who were very destructive. They rose because they had the support of the people, who were very frightened. 

Yes, we Hindus must oppose the politics of hatred and division. I don’t agree with caste. If you cut us here, we have the same blood. Who can say you are higher than me or I am higher than you? I am completely against segregation by caste.  I can see by people’s name and occupation whether they are so-called upper caste or lower caste, but I believe in equal treatment.

Here in my temple no one speaks of caste. In France, if you speak of caste you can be charged in the courts. All our priests come from Madras. We do not ask anyone’s caste. I would be open to anybody as priest in my temple. We have never had a female priest, but I have no objection.

I like the system in France. No discrimination is allowed. It is against the law. If this were not the case, I do not know whether Indian politics and nationalism would be more present here. As it stands, everyone comes and prays, and I do not hear any talk of hatred and discrimination. Muslims and Hindus seem to be friendly here in Paris. If ever some people seem misguided in our temple, I just take them aside and have a chat.

That is how it should be in every temple. Everyone should be welcome and included.