A people who fails to recognize their heroes are doomed. How do you explain the absence of any public or even private institution named after Bhadase Sagan Maraj, a man whose contributions are integral to the development of the Hindu community of Trinidad and Tobago?
Arguably, no one in the Caribbean has surpassed his contribution, not even Dr Eric Williams, Cheddi Jagan, Bustamante or the Manleys of Jamaica. Bhadase has not only founded the Maha Sabha and initiated the building of 41 primary schools for the Hindu community which had an illiteracy rate of more than 60% (1950 Statistical Digest) but also went on to form the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in 1955 (the PNM was formed in 1956). After contesting the General Elections of 1956, Bhadase Sagan Maraj served as Leader of the Opposition. In 1958 he successfully defeated the PNM in the Federal Elections by forging alliances with other political parties and individuals opposed to the dictatorial Dr. Eric Williams; and defeated the PNM in the Local General Elections of 1959.
When the Muslim and Christian leadership aligned with the PNM for handouts from the State, Bhadase stood with the Hindu community like a bulwark protecting them from violent attacks by hoodlums aligned with the PNM. In 1970 when the Black Power Movement threatened to overthrow the government, Bhadase stood on the side of law and order. Had Bhadase Sagan Maraj aligned with the Black Power revolt as a section of the army did, Dr Williams’ government would have fallen. This would have resulted with the US invading the country to establish law and order as was done when Benard Cord and other communist forces with Cuban assistance took power in Grenada a decade later.
Despite these achievements of Bhadase Maraj, successive governments have not seen it fit to recognize Bhadase Maraj by naming a public building after him. The truth is that the black press and Indian Christians have labelled Bhadase a hoodlum and racist with the Hindu academics opting to remain dumb. The same was done to Adrian Cola Rienzi but thanks to Dr. Sahadeo Basdeo, who, in his capacity as a labor historian, successfully reignited the contributions made by Rienzi. Basdeo Panday, in his capacity as leader of the sugar workers union went on to name its headquarters in Couva after Rienzi. As for the PNM, it insulted Rienzi by naming a small stretch of highway after him and sharing it with Kirton – the Rienzi Kirton Highway in San Fernando.
Bhadase was bold, unapologetic, wealthy, rooted in his dharma and willing to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve his goals. Much is there to learn from the life of Bhadase who remains the greatest Caribbean man to date in terms of private and public achievements. He was the godfather of the Hindu community and kept all with evil eyes against Hindus at bay.
I have faith in Kamla Persad -Bissessar, who is bold, expressive and unapologetic in her politics, to give credit to Bhadase Maraj for his contribution to nation building. The life of Bhadase is an inspiration-work hard, earn, live large and serve your community and country. No one did it better and more than Bhadase Sagan Maraj.
