Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie demanded and received the resignation of Jaishima Leladharsingh, a former director of the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA). His removal was as a result of a racial rant on the social media Web site, Facebook.
In accepting Leladharsingh's resignation, Dr Tewarie released a statement which said: "Over what can only be described as objectionable and reprehensible statement made on a social media platform, the minister takes the position that such behaviour is unacceptable in a civilised, multi-ethnic society such as ours, and this action is meant to make the point that divisive statements such as these will not be tolerated under any circumstances regardless of the situation."
Dr Tewarie was reiterating the position of the PP Government on this issue, but Faris Al-Rawi, PRO of the PNM and the candidate for San Fernando West, had his own self-serving political take on this troubling scenario. He asked: "How many like this are being well-seated by this Government?"Al-Rawi failed to even acknowledge how the PP Government dealt with Leladharsingh, and rather is accusing them of harbouring racists in the corridors of power. This is a politically spiteful thing to do. Certainly the PP must be applauded for the stance taken against racism.
Even Opposition Leader Keith Rowley commended Tewarie on his actions. As PRO, Al-Rawi should instead answer the question as to how the PNM dealt with racism.In 1958, the Federal Election was held on March 25 and the Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), led by the late Bhadase Sagan Maraj, won six of the ten seats at stake. At a meeting on Tuesday, April 1, the nation's Chief Minister and the founding father of the PNM, Dr Eric Williams offered his own reasons for the defeat of the PNM.
He scathingly attacked the DLP accusing them of conducting a campaign that appealed for Indian votes to ensure "an Indian Governor and an Indian Prime Minister" (Trinidad Guardian, April 2, 1958).He stressed: "The Indian nation was India. It was a respectable, reputable nation, respected the world over. It was not the 'recalcitrant and hostile minority' of the West Indies masquerading and prostituting the name of Indian for its selfish and reactionary political end."
The PNM in the 1956 elections had a number of prominent Muslims and Presbyterians such as Kamaluddin Moham-med, Oli Mohammed, Dr Ibbit Mosaheb and Dr Winston Mahabir but not one single Hindu!In fact, for 30 years, until the NAR changed our political landscape in 1986, Hindus were blocked from the corridors of power by the PNM.Even a reformed PNM under Patrick Manning continued to discriminate against the Indians, in particular, the Hindu community. Remember the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Radio licence case?
The Maha Sabha was refused a radio frequency by the Patrick Manning Administration whilst a radio licence was granted to a major supporter and financier of the PNM in the quickest possible time.What followed was years of legal battles going all the way to the Privy Council.On July 4, 2006, in a landmark 19-page judgment Lord Mance of the Privy Council said "in light of the exceptional circumstances" of the discrimination, the Privy Council would order Attorney General John Jeremie to do all that is necessary to ensure that a licence is issued forthwith to the Hindu organisation.
The judgment in favour of the Maha Sabha was unanimous yet the PNM administration refused to comply with the judgment of the Privy Council. Only when it was threatened with further legal action that the radio frequency was granted in September, 2006.In January 2013, PNM's candidate for the THA elections speaking in Roxborough, warned Tobagonians that a "A Calcutta ship is coming down for you." These comments were made in the full view of Keith Rowley and Orville London.
At the same meeting, Rowley later endorsed Sandy: "And of course the tireless Hilton Sandy, he knows what it is to serve. He represented the PNM for decades. He has done a fantastic job in improving the community of Roxborough/Delaford, and he still has energy, that drive, that desire and I ask you to support Hilton Sandy and send him back there. Send him back to the THA."
He said: "Let him bring his experience to guide the youngsters who would put him there." Neither Rowley nor the PNM immediately condemned Sandy but instead endorsed him. When Sandy eventually apologised, he said it was "political picong." Others however, viewed this Sandy tirade as naked racism.As one "Indian" activist put it, "Robinson, a Tobagonian, can come to Trinidad and become Prime Minister, but an Indian (Calcutta ship) must be stopped from entering Tobago."
It amazes how easy it is to attribute all of the PNM's dastardly acts to political picong. Pray tell, Al-Rawi, why are you always quick to chastise others whilst your PNM party has repeatedly refused to disband itself from the doctrines of racism?You would be surprised to know that the electorate today has evolved and voters can easily differentiate picong from facts and political reality.