In pre-independence, Mauritius, the Catholic Church alone, enjoyed the privilege of receiving a religious subsidy from the state. All other communities and their places of worship were excluded. It was only in the 1960s, thanks to the foresight and fairness of Sookdeo Bissoonfoyal, that a proposal was put before the Legislative Assembly to extend the subsidy to all religions. That moment was historic, for it was not about money—it was about justice, recognition, and equal respect for every faith in this country.The system established was clear: 20% of the subsidy goes to mandirs and religious institutions for administrative expenses, while 80% is allocated to priests, pandits, imams, and officiants as an allow It is important to stress: this is not a salary but a modest allowance, a token of recognition for those who dedicate their lives to prayer, service, and the moral guidance of society.Yet, recently, and surprisingly, our Prime Minister openly said: “Mauritius is the only country where government pays to pray, while quoting a former judge to reinforce his statement and went further, advising socio-cultural organisations to stop asking for subsidies and instead focus only on their activities”.
Such remarks are unfortunate and misleading. On one side, the Public Accounts Committee regularly reports wastage of millions of rupees of taxpayers’ money every year through inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption. On the other side, the religious subsidy—peanuts in comparison—is being questioned and trivialised. It is an irony that what binds the Mauritian people together—faith, prayer, and worship—is treated as expendable.
Religion is not a burden on the state. On the contrary, it is the invisible glue of our nation. It is the prime force behind unity, tolerance, fraternity, and peace—the very values for which Mauritius is respected around the world. The temples, churches, mosques, and pagodas are not mere buildings; they are schools of character, sanctuaries of peace, and centres of social solidarity.
The Prime Minister would do well to remember that public opinion is sensitive to such dismissive statements. The episode of the “catoris” remains a living reminder of how adverse comments can cost heavily. The people are not blind—they are observing, and when the moment of decision comes, they will express themselves.
Let us also be clear: dressing in religious attire at pilgrim sites does not make one a Sadhu. A Sadhu is not defined by external garb but by inner truth. A Sadhu is one who teaches unity by example, who spreads peace through every word, who radiates solace to all, and who walks as a living saint among men. This is stated in the ” Satyanarayan Vrat Katha.”
Leaders must understand that by undermining religion, they undermine the very moral foundation of Mauritius. The subsidy is not charity but a recognition that spiritual service is as essential as material development. The language of politics may change before and after elections, but the eternal truth remains: a nation without faith loses its soul.
Mauritius must never forget that it is religion that has safeguarded its unity, inspired its progress, and nurtured its spirit of tolerance. To belittle prayer is to belittle the heartbeat of the people themselves. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, whose birthday was recently celebrated has warned” faudrez pas touche religion dans sa pays là” .
Sarvey Bhawantu Sukhinah!
Om Shanti
Ved Goopee
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