Socio-Cultural Consequences of the Lobbyists` Work

What is the role of these companies? They deviate from their primary responsibilities? Have they always justified? Opinions differ.

Yet these are not comments, coming from the socio-cultural associations, which have failed after the incidents of Quinze-Cantons. In fact, socio-cultural associations are in turn mounted slot to speak on incidents Quinze-Cantons. 

And each of them did not hide his displeasure. We have heard the President of the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, leaders of Voice of Hindu, Muslim Union, associations Kranti  and Ram Sena, the Veer Ekta Association, the Hindu Unity Movement and the Quinze-Cantons Hindu Sewak Sangh. And the reactions were not the least with comments such as "unpatriotic, avoided flood of reactions, we do not want to hit back, that leaders take responsibility and bring order to the troublemakers, stunt , "among others. 

Fins purely personal?

In Mauritian society, there is also the perception that some hijack socio-cultural structures and use them for purely personal. "Take for example the empowerment of the rural population. In the 60 - 70, socio-cultural associations have played an important role and helped a breakthrough in the education sector. This contributed to a mobility and consolidation of the family of any religion, and wealth. Today, in these rural areas, we find that there is a high number of broken families and universal values evaporate, "says the president of an association which, given certain sensitivities, prefer to speak under the guise of anonymity. And according to him, today, it is often lobbyists who replaced the sages of the past at the head of the socio-cultural associations. 

Furthermore, although there are attempts in many cases to minimize certain things that happen to within the socio-cultural associations, reality eventually become public .One has only to reach the Supreme Court to realize the number of cases involving these associations, particularly concerning the wars of power, squandered funds, among others. 

Avoid skidding communal

However, socio-cultural associations defend themselves against criticisms that are leveled against them. An example, the Voice of Hindu (VOH). His vice president, Navin Unnoop, maintains that the goal is reached. "We have a mission. The participation of the Voice of Hindu is required for communal stability. There are many 'hotheads', including the Hindu community. But we are there to prevent slippage and maintain communal stability, "says Navin Unnoop. 

He added: "The Voice of Hindu has 177 cells across the country and we conscientious community to prevent the new generation does not sink in Alcohol, drugs and other ills. In addition, there are some politicians who lure people asking for votes in exchange for jobs. It is also an awareness against it because such practices lead to the impoverishment of the people. "The vice president of VoH goes further and explains that this organization does not focus solely on the religious aspect. "We are also a pressure group which does not hesitate to speak out against injustices, not only against the Hindus, but also against members of other communities," he advances.

On the other hand, it is also worth noting that the name of this organization is often cited for certain incidents. The leaders of the VoH are aware and say, moreover, they alerted the police several times about some who sow trouble and then put these acts on the back of the VoH. "All decisions are taken by the staff of VoH. We have an executive committee that decides everything. Unfortunately, some, including Hindus, who do not like us, will allow you to create disorder by posing as members of the VoH. But these people must take responsibility because we alert the police regularly, "says Navin Unnoop. 

For his part, President of the Mauritius Sanathan Dharma Temples Federation, Somduth Dulthumun, does not venture to make great comments. He said there are socio-religious organizations and "other associations" and he insists that we should not put them all in one basket. "We do our work to the best of our abilities and I did not feel that we deviate from our goals. We take positions on certain issues when necessary, and then we turn the page "advance Somduth Dulthumun. 

Samoorgon Collappen, who is vice-president of the Tamil Union of Mauritius, said his organization works primarily to promote of Tamil culture in Mauritius. "What we want is that Tamil culture continues to be recognized," said the latter. And to highlight the Tamil Union action revolves mainly around the education of members of the community and especially youth. Samoorgon Collappen also wishes to emphasize that the Tamil Union is, in any way related to politics. "There is also no politicians who speak to our functions," said the latter. Vice President of the Tamil Union also explains that his organization, through its activities and philosophy, is in no way an obstacle to national unity and not conducive to communal and sectarian sentiments. N

ational unity is also advocated that the Muslim Youth Federation. Raffick Samtally, the president, said the association is primarily a social purpose and it works for all communities. "Since 1957, we are social and we fight against poverty without attention to religious affiliation. There is nothing communal in our actions, "said Raffick Samtally. 

It is the same side of Groupman Larkansiel Kreol (GLK). Its president, Jean-Marie Richard, emphasized that his organization, since its inception, favors an "inclusive approach". He said the GLK is involved in maintaining the social fabric of the country while promoting the unity of the Creole community. "Our organization was created around the need for unity of the Creole community, while emphasizing the need for national unity," said Jean-Marie Richard. 

And the latter to emphasize "that in any case, we are in a logic of communalism or sectarianism. " Jean-Marie Richard also explained that the action of GLK does not center solely around the members of the Creole community, but also extends to others.

When some influential members infiltrate the body semi

Being at the head or member of a socio-cultural association can be a great springboard to access certain functions and with the support of certain policies. In recent years, we have several examples of those who, after their passage within a socio-cultural association (all communities) have been granted an appointment. 

Among the last named, we find that of Balraj Narroo as Chairman of the Board Directors of Central Electricity Board. The latter was the president of the Mauritius Marathi Mandali Federation. Narroo Balraj was also, before his appointment, praised repeatedly by Navin Ramgoolam. His appointment was highly criticized by the MMM and especially by the Opposition Leader, Paul Berenger. 

Other appointment criticized by the latter, that of Veeren Comaren as human resources director at the Mauritius Duty Free Paradise (MDFP). The latter, known as former President of the Mauritius Tamil Temples Federation (MTTF), was fired shortly after the MDFP the May 2010 elections. A disciplinary committee decided his dismissal. He was accused of falsifying the employment contract of the former CEO of MDFP, Shakeel Dyall, with the complicity of the latter. 

Another former president of the MDFP, Rajen Narsinghen, had, meanwhile, saw offered an ambassadorship. It is now Economic and Trade Advisor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Mauritius. 

Somduth Dulthumun, president of the Mauritius Sanathan Dharma Temples Federation, headquarters for his part in various boards of various parastatal bodies. It is for example, a member of the 'Board' of the Development Bank, but also of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Bijaye Madhu, former Director General of the MBC, was, meanwhile, a relative of the Human Service Trust. Danielle Turner, who is now President Nelson Mandela Centre for African culture was a member of the African Movement Mauritian Kreol (MMKA) Fire Mario Flore. 

An influence that goes back to the sixties

Socio-cultural associations, although they have always existed Mauritius, have not always had the influence they have today. Various cultural groups or "pressure" existed in Mauritius for many years, but had not received very widespread, especially to put pressure on policy. But things had to change from the sixties.

According to Jocelyn Chan Low, historian and lecturer at the University of Mauritius, is the government's decision in 1962 to allocate state subsidies to associations socio-cultural changed all that. "We have seen, from this moment, a rise of these groups," said the latter. According to Jocelyn Chan Low, it is from this date that have become firmly established cultural groups, which could be found during the 1963 legislative elections.