Hindu parents forbid their children from attending Shia celebrations because of drug use
During the festival, Hindu holy men sell drugs and invite young people to smoke hashish and cannabis. Hundreds of young people have become addicts. The Hindu festival accused of driving many to crime. Attendance at the Pashupatinath Temple drops from 500,000 to 200,000.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Few young people attended yesterday’s Mahashivaratri celebration to honour the Lord Shiva.
Many parents kept their children away because of the presence of many ‘Hindu Babas’, holy men (sadhus) from India and elsewhere, who encourage young people to use drugs like hashish and cannabis.
"Drug addiction of many young people begins in this place,” said Rijan Kafle, 18, in reference to the Shiva temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu.
“Although we are Hindus, our parents are opposed to it and do not want their children to take part in Shivaratri celebrations. Many ascetics encourage us to smoke in the name of this deity. Many of them sell hashish and cannabis and say that these are gifts from Shiva."
During the Shivaratri festival, which lasts several days, Hindus go on pilgrimage to various Shiva temples, praying, chanting hymns, and dancing.
Siddhartha Gautam, 52, from Gaushala, forbade his children from taking part in the celebrations.
"I have two high school kids and saw some sadhus selling drugs and inviting young people to smoke. So I forbade my children to come here and participate in Shivaratri in the Pashupati temple.”
“I know hundreds of young people who started smoking and using drugs on the feast day of Shiva and later became addicts for life."
Rameshwor Dhakal, from Chabahil district (Kathmandu), has a son who began using drugs at the feast of Shiva. "This is a bad habit,” he said, “which ruins young lives in the name of this Hindu celebration.”
“My son started smoking hashish with friends seven years ago during Shivaratri,” he explained. “Babas can use drugs, and sell it to kids and teach them how to smoke it. Many begin at this time to smoke and gradually become addicted."
"Now my son is a total addict. This has ruined his life, and he has turned to crime. Thus, Shivaratri has become a cause of delinquency," he lamented.
Govinda Tondon, a Hindu expert and director of the Pashupatinath temple, said that temple has appealed many times to the faithful to stay away from "bad things" during the Shivaratri.
"We asked Hindu Babas from India and elsewhere not to sell or compel drug use. But young people and parents should also be on guard."
Meanwhile, the Hindu festivity seems to be losing popularity as bad habits associated with Hinduism spread cross the country.
Last year, about 500,000 people visited Pashupatinath Temple for Shivaratri. This year that number is down to 200,000.
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12/03/2024 14:48
