'Blunder,' says Papua New Guinea after denying permission for Durga Puja & calling it 'morally inappropriate'
Manning released an apologetic letter following the controversy over the directive stating that the previous comment was "a grievous and tragic blunder."
FollowAn island republic in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, Papua New Guinea has refused Hindus living there permission to do Durga Puja prayers. Police Commissioner David Manning, who also acts as COVID-19 Pandemic Controller, made the decision. The letter, signed by Manning, was provided by Benn Packham, The Australian's foreign affairs and defence correspondent. According to Manning's letter to Puspendu Maity, President of the Port Moresby Durga Puja Committee, the request was refused because Durga Puja is a type of idol worship that is ethically improper and contrary to the island nation's Christian beliefs.
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"Your request has been reviewed, and we recognise that this is a kind of idolatry that is ethically improper and contrary to our Christian beliefs. As a result, APPROVAL TO HOST THIS EVENT IS NOT GRANTED," it stated. Manning released an apologetic letter following the controversy over the directive stating that the previous comment was "a grievous and tragic blunder."
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While Manning signed the letter, he says that he was not the author and respects religious liberty. He stated that the statements are very improper in and of themselves and do not reflect my personal or professional opinions.
"As a representative of the government of Papua New Guinea, I appreciate our country's right to religious freedom. The non-approval was predicated on the danger of COVID-19 transmission linked with large crowds," he noted. Manning has now requested Puspendu Maity to provide further data about the scheduled Durga Puja event so that he may "personally conduct another evaluation." He also stated that the original letter's author was "disciplined."
Kanchan Gupta, the senior adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, responded to the decision by saying, "Papua New Guinea rejects permission for Durga Puja because it is "a kind of idol worshipping that is morally improper and against our Christian beliefs." Later, he apologises. Indian exports to PNG total $21 million, while imports from PNG total $217 million."
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