As an independent country, our message should be loud and clear

May 20, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
On the 30th March this year an explosive story appeared in One India news, a branch of the Indian press. It concerned Nelson Mandela arguably the greatest human icon and luminary of the last century and a man genuinely revered by many people all over the world.
This is a man who had sacrificed so much to achieve the vision of a free and just South Africa at ease with its diversity.
The story concerned a relationship Nelson Mandela is alleged to have had with an Indian woman Amina Cachalia to whom he had proposed. It was described by the now deceased Amina as being ‘intimate and affectionate’. She spoke of them kissing passionately and of Mandela proposing marriage to her even though he was still married to Graca at the time.
Even though the article threatened to scandalise this great man, to my knowledge no protests were lodged by the South African Government and no retraction, qualification or apology offered by One India news. Certainly no such protest has been reported in the Indian press.
This brings me to Freddie Kissoon’s recent article on Mahatma Gandhi. Kindly permit me to provide some balance to the brouhaha that erupted in certain quarters of the chattering classes over his article on Gandhi.
Now it is beyond dispute that Gandhi is a major figure of the last century. There is also a prominent statue of him in Georgetown.
Given these facts it is natural that there should be some interest within Guyana about who Gandhi was and what he really represented, even more so given Guyana’s race problems.
This is a legitimate debate we as a people with our own borders can engage in. We are not a province or state of any foreign powers (at least not the last time I checked).
Unlike Freddie I am less interested in Gandhi’s alleged sexual proclivities and much more interested in his attitude towards black people. It is an indisputable fact that while in South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi published a newspaper ‘Indian Opinion’ with racially abhorrent views about black people whom he contemptuously referred to as Kaffirs.
He also joined the British Army and fought against the Southern African independence movement. This side of the man fascinates me much more.
Returning to the article published in India on Nelson Mandela. The Indian reporter saw it as legitimate journalism as it concerned a global figure; a man who transcends national borders. Just like Mahatma Gandhi does.
Over and over again we can see the national press of countless other countries carrying comments and opinions on other nations’ activities, politics and personalities with rarely a hint of protest from the ambassadors or consular staff of the nations concerned. Come to think of it if all they ever did was protest, they would have little time to do any real work.
So as an independent country our message should be loud and clear:
”No country has the right to dictate to Guyana what can and cannot be debated or discussed. This action would suppress free speech and legitimate journalism”
Colin Bascom

Latest News

As an independent country, our message should be loud and clear

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Anderson ton, Looknauth’s 9 seals dominant 10-wicket win for Harpy...

Romaine Brackenridge joins Slingerz FC from...

Mashramani Street Football Championship kicks off...

Savory falls for 99, joins the heartbreaking...

Martin Massiah elected president of Fruta...

CANOC Executive Committee members visits...

Features/Columnists

A wave of criminal deportees may be coming our way soon

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Renegotiation – one big Guyana laff story

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

As an independent country, our message should be loud and clear

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]