In the website English language newspaper of Venezuela named “Venezuelanalysis.com” hailing Caracas’s December 3rd referendum there is a graph which incorrectly lists the Essequibo population make up of only Afro Guyanese with such indigenous peoples as Carib, Arawak,Wapishana, Warao, Makushi and Patamona.
Indo Guyanese are not listed as living in Essequibo in the online newspaper. I have written a note in the “Contact” site asking that the newspaper correct the omission. Readers are urged to do the same.
The omission that Indo Guyanese are not present in Essequibo is ominous. Doesn’t that mean that Indians have a place in Venezuela?
This omission of Indo Guyanese not living in Essequibo is an abomination and smacks of ethnic .cleansing. It recalls the opinion held in Guyana by former chief magistrate Ms Juliet Holder-Allen who under the guise of contract law was seeking to repatriate all Guyanese, who are Indian descendants, to India. Ms Holder-Allen was of the opinion that “The agreement covered the subjects and their Descendants.The Agreement is still alive today and can be enforced.”
However, Mr Roger Ally on 1-14 2011 in Kaieteur News debunked the view held by Ms Holder -Allen. Mr Ally wrote: “How has the presence of the Indian descendants of indentured laborers transformed Ms. Holder-Allen into an injured party? And even if she was injured, how did she become the successor in interest for the planters (or their agent) who brought Indians to Guyana?”
When one takes into account the view held by Professor Rex Nettleford of Jamaica that the African was the natural inheritor of the Caribbean on departure of the colonial powers, the Indian seems to be battered on many fronts and must constantly fight for his survival.
Sincerely
Sultan Mohamed