Dear Editor,
The headlines and the details of what a young child had to endure at the “hands” of a Minister of Government, following on the heels of the merciless death of 20 young children–all of them from our Indigenous community, begs the question–Where is the Minister in charge of Amerindian Affairs? What does she really do? Is she aware that her job is to look after the affairs of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana or is it to just enjoy the perks of being a bench warmer in Parliament? Nothing from her when 20 young indigenous lives were horribly snuffed out and NO WORD from her when one of her colleagues (fellow bench warmer) in Parliament is named in an assault on a young indigenous female! Shame on you, Minister of Amerindian Affairs.
“Two female ministers had also issued statements underscoring the seriousness of the allegations while indicating that a thorough investigation will be conducted.” K.N 6/20/2023. The word RAPE still resonates in one’s head from that infamous day in Parliament where the present Minister of Education screamed those very words. Now she; the ” Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, in a statement on Saturday said that allegations of rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence are not to be made lightly and must always be taken seriously.” Ironic, isn’t it?
With regards to the other female minister named in that news piece; she attacked a writer who exposed a sitting Minister of Government, when he wrote “The other side of Reepu Daman Persaud is well known in Guyana and it certainly is not flattering. I will leave that for another discussion on this most controversial Hindu pandit who died several years ago.” K.N. 18/1/2015. Will this Minister defend her colleague ( fellow benchwarmer in Parliament) like she championed her late father even after Freddie also related the following in his column: Freddie Kissoon replies to Vindhya Vasini Persaud – Kaieteur News (kaieteurnewsonline.com)
Will this child today, gets justice? Who is looking out for her– the female minister who once cried “wolf” as she screamed rape in Parliament or the other one who defended a father exposed for exploiting and preying on his own young female Hindu staff? The INVISIBLE American Affairs Minister? An Opposition whose hands are stained with countless sexual assaults on females of the silent majority (whether it was Wismar, 1998 Mo fya Slo fya in GT., or anytime the Party and their supporters are angry with the PPP Government)? Can one conclude that the Minister in question with the present-day incident could have been emboldened by his preceders?
Editor, I scoured the newspapers and did not see a word so far from any of the religious groups; denouncing this dastardly act on a young child of Guyana. Have they also lost their morality? Where are their voices for this child.
The #METOO Movement skipped Guyana and as a result, young lives continue to be exploited and maimed. I close for now, with words from a persona that many in Guyana like to quote when it suits their agendas…
“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly.”
“Non-cooperation with Evil is a sacred duty.” M.K. Gandhi.
Yours Sincerely,
N. Sahadeo
( A Hindu woman, disgusted that once again, a Hindu man who was made a leader, has descended to being a Rakshasa.)