SOUTH AFRICA, July 31, 2005: The Umgeni Road temple, one of the largest and oldest Hindu shrines in South Africa, has pulled out of the Canon Gold Cup horse race because meat and alcohol will be sold at the event. Temple chairman Selven Thaver said: “I realized that it wasn’t right for us to get involved because we have a very conservative devoteeship and they might take offence to that.” The Gold Cup, which takes place at Greyville racecourse next Saturday, is a golden opportunity for organizations to raise funds. Organizers Gold Circle supply free marquees, chairs and tables to these organizations. Thaver said he had been invited by Silveranis restaurant owner Monty Moodley to take part in the event. “When I looked at it carefully, after giving the go-ahead, I said I don’t think we will get involved because of the things that are happening there,” said Thaver. Moodley, who will be raising funds for the Illovo Maha Vishnu and Marieammen Temple, said he saw nothing wrong with serving meat and booze at the marquee. “I am a businessman that runs a successful restaurant, and when the temple wants a donation, they come to me knowing that my money is earned from selling alcohol and meat,” he said. Moodley said he believed Thaver had cancelled after personality clashes among members of his temple. Durban deputy mayor Logie Naidoo, a devotee of the temple, said although raising funds was a noble intention, some members would object to having a marquee where liquor and meat would be served. “Some people would argue that this is unethical from a Hindu perspective,” said Naidoo.
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