Opposition Leader Keith Rowley has come under criticism from several quarters over his behaviour towards a young teenaged girl, Ravina Rampersad, during recent Carnival celebrations in San Fernando.Photographs captured illustrated Rowley in a wining position behind Rampersad who was in a bent-over orientation. Rowley, with what appeared a smirk on his face, also wielded an alcoholic beverage in hand.
Other photos with Rowley and masqueraders also portrayed drinks in hand. (See photo in T&T Guardian dated 19/02/15). The PNM has basically responded that Rowley has broken no law and his behaviour is typical of what occurs during Carnival time.
South mas man Ivan Kalicharan, in whose band Rowley appeared as glitterati in the "Sando" crowd, also defended Rowley in self-serving terms. Kalicharan, in celebration of his triumph for copping the south title of band of the year, chose to be photographed with fellow patrons holding large quantities of alcoholic drinks in hand for the daily newspapers.
Jack Warner made certain statements in relation to the issue most of which, to me, made no sense. However, one of his alleged statements was unfortunate and racially divisive. According to news reports he said, "Sat Maharaj grievance is, and he has said so, it's an East Indian girl..." I wish to place on record that I did not influence the Indian girls who have all left Jack Warner's political party, the ILP.
My shock is over the fact that Rowley, a man supposedly 65 years old, was wining on a teenaged girl in a manner which left a lot to be desired. But at no time did I refer to Rowley or Rampersad's ethnicity. By deliberately misquoting me, Warner blatantly attempted to bring race into a serious debate. Daily he proves what a belligerent, pontificating and hypocritical politician he has become.
When it comes to Carnival, the Maha Sabha has consistently stood against what it has become and the behaviour of our citizens who participate in it. In fact, for the past five years we have been severely critical of the PP Government, which we otherwise support, for the amount of money it pumps into Carnival as it rewards the country with nothing positively tangible.
With the advancement of social media like Facebook and Twitter, J'Ouvert, ole mas, Monday and Tuesday mas and last lap cool down fetes are portrayed simultaneously for the whole world to see. As an aside, videos have gone viral with pictures of Rowley and Rampersad superimposed in compromising positions, "on the counter, on the sofa, caught on camera," dubbed with popular Shaggy song, "It wasn't me." Another video shows Snoop Dog and his "homies" hailing Rowley. That's how far it has gone.
Returning to our serious note, what the world and our young people are witnessing is literally a growing nakedness of our men and women, a phenomenal amount of alcohol consumption, behaviour which is contrary to their sense of what is right and decent and a total degradation of the moral fabric of our society.One video on Facebook showed a woman who was completely naked wining on the back of a truck during Carnival!
I ask people to understand that whilst we may have divided views on this ongoing debate, we must not let it divide us. The question for all right-thinking citizens is really a simple one.Are we as a people comfortable with the behaviour displayed during Carnival? Are we being fair to our society, particularly the young children, when we portray alcohol and lewd behaviour as acceptable during Carnival?
The Maha Sabha is clear on our answers to these questions. Alcohol is strictly prohibited during our Phagwa celebrations. We have spoken against the use of lyrics in chutney songs which denigrate women and portray alcohol as some kind of ideal. Thankfully, some effort was made this year to clean up the Chutney Soca Monarch in this regard.
In the past decade, Maha Shiv Raatri celebrations have almost always, coincided with the timing of Carnival celebrations and Hindus were advised to steer clear of Carnival festivities. This was not a racist move or unpatriotic gesture by the Maha Sabha. It was simply our adherence to our beliefs and higher standards of behaviour.
When asked for my comments on this "Rowley take a lil wine with ah teen" affair, I did volunteer a comparison between Rowley and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. My reason for so doing was simple. PM Persad-Bissessar exemplifies the higher ideals which we subscribe to whilst Rowley and the PNM do not.
In the upcoming general elections people will have to choose whether they want to vote for higher ideals hence the PP, or they are prepared to condone the disgraceful behaviour of Rowley and the PNM. Rowley has refused to offer an apology of any sort and we are left to wonder whether his position would be the same if it turned out to be a younger girl he was wining on.
Maybe Calypsonian Crazy can remix his popular song Nanny wine down so with "Rowley wine down low!"