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Babu Jaan must reflect Cheddi Jagan’s Vision, Not Betray It

Mar 24, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

As another Babu Jaan commemoration approaches, it is important to reflect on whether this event truly honours the legacy of Dr. Cheddi Jagan or has become a political tool for division and hostility. Dr. Jagan stood for unity, democracy, and social progress. Yet, under the stewardship of Bharrat Jagdeo, this solemn occasion has repeatedly been used as a platform to attack critics, incite political animosity, and further divide Guyana.

A clear example of this was in 2019, when Jagdeo used his Babu Jaan address to launch an all-out verbal assault on the Coalition government, accusing them of “dictatorial rule” and “rigging” even before an election was held. His speech was not about national development or Cheddi Jagan’s ideals but a politically charged tirade aimed at inciting party supporters. Similarly, in 2022, rather than focusing on policies or national reconciliation, Jagdeo used the platform to label critics of the government as “sellouts” and “anti-progress,” reinforcing an “us versus them” mentality that Cheddi Jagan would have condemned.

In 2023, the pattern continued as Jagdeo stood before the audience at Babu John and openly ridiculed political opponents while making sweeping racial insinuations that only served to deepen Guyana’s divisions. Instead of discussing how the ruling party could address issues such as corruption, mismanagement, or equitable distribution of oil wealth, he used the moment to brand dissenters as “troublemakers” and dismiss valid concerns about governance.

This is not what Babu John should represent. Cheddi Jagan was a leader who believed in engaging all Guyanese, regardless of their political affiliations. He did not preach hate; he built movements based on justice and fair play. If the commemoration at Babu John is to remain meaningful, it must return to those principles. It must be a space for unity, reflection, and a recommitment to the ideals that made Dr. Jagan a beloved national figure.

If Jagdeo and the ruling party truly want to honour Cheddi Jagan, they must stop weaponizing his legacy for political gain and instead work toward building a Guyana that is inclusive, democratic, and free from the toxic rhetoric that now dominates this annual event. Anything less is a betrayal of Jagan’s vision.

Sincerely,

B. Rajkumar

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