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Using commemorative occasions for the wrong reasons

Jun 23, 2015 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
It was very unfortunate and sad that for the Enmore Martyrs’ Commemoration we witnessed two different sets of persons saying different things.
The People’s Progressive Party on one day trying to score cheap political points and in so doing, changing the purpose and reasons for those who were present, just as they did and I am sure will continue to do at Babu Jaan when they meet there to pay tribute to the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. I will describe that occasion as a political rally.
So much trash is said at some commemoration ceremonies and anniversaries that there are good reasons for many people to stay away.
I can recall that prior to 1992 most people of Indian descent never celebrated our Independence and Republic Day celebrations or even went to functions arranged.
I can also remember the late Dr. Dale Bisnauth, the then Minister of Education, once saying that the people of East Indian descent would have a feeling of alienation during those celebrations. He may have been correct, but that feeling was created by the PPP.
Immediately after the Party won the election in 1992, you had more of my Indian brothers and sisters taking part in whatever activities were planned for those occasions or celebrations.
Some speakers at those celebrations/ commemorations definitely used the occasions for other reasons and not for the purpose intended, and willfully tried to rewrite our history.
I can recall about maybe four or five years ago, being a Member of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council for the Alliance for Change (A.F.C.), at a Flag Raising Ceremony to mark our Independence at the lawns of the Anna Regina Town Council, the main speaker, Mr. Robert Persaud, then Agriculture Minister, was very careful not to mention Mr. Forbes Burnham’s name, and the very important role he played during the struggle for independence from our Colonial Masters. Of course he (Burnham) was ably assisted by Dr. Jagan and Mr. Peter D’Aguiar of the United Force.
During the Minister’s address, he mentioned Jagan’s name more than fifty times, but Burnham and D’Aguiar not a single time, bearing in mind that Forbes Burnham and all the other leaders in the Caribbean and further afield were visiting London regularly to hold talks for our independence.
I had wanted to walk out from that function during that address, but I thought it would have been unethical for me to do so. In retrospect, I should have left.
Archie W. Cordis
Former A.F.C. Councillor
Region No. 2

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