Latest update April 14th, 2026 12:38 AM
ERC exposes its lack of moral authority to sanction others
Dear Editor,
It has been more than two weeks since President Jagdeo made his racially charged and provocative remarks at the Babu John Cremation site on the Corentyne Coast, and to date the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is yet to issue a statement.
This situation is very unpropitious, as it would be used as a good reference point by anyone whom the commission attempts to sanction for alleged breach of its prescribed code of conduct during this election year.
Mr. Jagdeo’s comments mark the new low for a President and are the epitome of racially charged sentiments. His instruction to the older Indo- Guyanese to instill fear in the younger generation by telling these youths about some bloody past of David Granger and the PNC is tantamount to a direct call for civil war.
His call also smacks at the intelligence and independence of our youth who comprise approximately 62 per cent of the electorate in 2011.
The commission has indicated that it has begun training media monitors for the upcoming elections, it would be interesting to note whether there is specific instruction given, to the monitors, to exclude President Jagdeo from the monitoring process. Is it his office or his association with the commission?
In addition, what about his moral responsibility to this nation?
Let me hasten to say, once the commission refuses to denounce Mr. Jagdeo’s Babu John comments it will have no moral authority to sanction anyone else, for apparent breach of the prescribed code of conduct.
Further, if we want to analyze the real motive of Mr. Jagdeo’s comment and expose its evil, one only has to compare his Buxton invitation to villagers to his Babu John instructions, to those residents.
The racial and ethnic mischief lie in the difference in these calls and in the particular race group targeted, in each case.
I am amazed that those who are aspiring to be the PPP/C presidential candidate have all remained silent on this issue. One can only assume by this silence that they have endorsed Jagdeo’s comments. Is it a case, therefore, of ‘one and the same’?
Lurlene Nestor
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