It distresses me greatly when I see important people who run this country dismiss and trivialise the protest fast of Dr Wayne Kublalsingh in such derogatory and disrespectful terms using phrases like, "playing the fool," and words like carcass. It's disrespectful to all right-thinking people and especially to Kublalsingh, his family and supporters.
Dr Kublalsingh has been the voice of the voiceless, the poor and disadvantaged for many years on environmental and humanitarian issues and a respected educator at UWI. Why all this sudden disrespect and vilification of someone who is fighting for a humanitarian cause and democracy? Anyone who can put his life on the line for his belief and convictions is a great soul or mahatma and qualifies to be my leader.
The attitude and position taken by the Prime Minister and the Government will be judged by history. The world always watches humanitarian issues with great interest because it's what makes us an advanced civilisation.
The world still reveres the Mahatma Gandhi Ji for his fast to gain independence for India, and the founding of the principles of Satyagraha or truth force, later taken up Martin Luther King. The technical details surrounding the protest fade in comparison to the present issues of humanity, respect for life and democracy.
History will remember Dr Kublalsingh long after his oppressors and detractors, for they will be cast into ignominy and infamy. I pray for the soul of those who criticise and vilify him for they are yet to be educated in the ways of divine love.
Joel Quintal
San Fernando