This type of literary depiction by Mr. Kissoon is divisive

Oct 29, 2011 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Mr. Freddie Kissoon penned a column in the Kaieteur News captioned “Sempiternal light versus eternal evil: Memories of Diwali” that was published on October 26th, 2011.
No doubt Mr. Kissoon has certainly made an outstanding contribution to the struggle for decency and meaning in the lives of Guyanese and hopefully can continue in this process.
Firstly, I wish to say that I am not on the ground in Guyana and I can certainly appreciate the level of frustration that the People’s Progressive Party has ushered into the lives of the average citizen, however, an article that makes specific reference in straight language should not be allowed to be ambivalent in its interpretation at this critical moment when the nation’s future is at its doorsteps.
Amidst different sections of the article, it includes the following:
“Strange things crisscross your mind when you look at East Indians now and then. The Hindus prayed to their God that the evil of government be banished from the land. And their prayers were heard in 1992. But was the prayer really heard by God? Or was the Devil listening in too? That was a long time ago. The Indians loved the PPP. They voted for the PPP in four successive elections devastating the WPA, the party of Walter Rodney.Today, the Diwali lights are still alight. The flame is still in the heart of the average Hindu. But who is it burning for? Well it had to be that the Devil got into the act too. Burnham’s venalities, the depravities of a Black Government are long gone but replaced by Indian debaucheries, Indian immoralities and Indian hegemony. But the Diwali lights still shine brightly as they will tonight. So what has changed in this tragic land? Tonight, Hindu priests will preach another form of politics.”
I am a Guyanese of Hindu origins and while I accept that the thrust of the article points to the decadent use of power in the hands of the People’s Progressive Party, I find the article lacks an appreciation of the Hindu Religion and is a direct attack on East Indians as synonymous with the People’s Progresssive Party.
It is an accepted fact that in Guyana, the results of the poll for the People’s National Congress and the People’s Progressive Party historically mirrors the ethnic composition of the electorate. However, the People’s Progressive Party has consistently been a source of degradation and embarassment for all Guyanese, especially those like myself of East Indian origin, given the fact that Guyanese of all ethnicities fought tirelessly against the tyranny of the Peoples National Congress. To espouse and hold synonymous the People’s Progressive Party with East Indians is an attack on Guyanese of East Indian descent.
The People’s Progressive Party is employing gutter-type politics with regard to ethnic sensitivities and propaganda to drive fear into the minds of Guyanese of East Indian descent in order to gain victory at the upcoming polls, and this type of literary depiction by Mr. Kissoon is divisive and sure helps no worthy cause.
Perhaps we can all learn from this, let us use our pen as our symbolic sword in this battle to remove evil from amongst us.
Many are of the opinion that the battle is to remove the People’s Progressive Party and it ends there. Please understand very clearly – especially for all those who gave their lives against the tyranny of dictatorship, such as our distinguished brother and son of the soil Dr. Walter Rodney – every institution of dictatorship must be removed from the Guyanese landscape, which is inclusive of the People’s National Congress. The battle ends when all Guyanese of every ethnicity can lift their heads in dignity in a land where the Rule of Law prevails. I would like to reiterate what I have said before:
I urge all my fellow Guyanese, of every ethnicity, stand united on this issue, be strong, as we only have our freedom to lose. Guyanese have always deserved, and much more today, a government that respects their rights and privileges.
The days ahead will undoubtedly be tough and challenging, and so must be our resilience, as the government will use our own resources to strip us of our fundamental rights. We will rise to meet this situation and let there be no doubt in your minds that there is no place for cowards in Guyana’s glorious future.
The future is here and now. Stand strong and united.
Kris Kooblall
Toronto. Canada

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