Dear Editor,
“One thing I cannot do, unless I am prepared to resign from the PPP, is to add condemnation to my appeals.” This quote is extracted from Ralph Ramkarran’s article titled ‘Speaking Out’ dated August 4, 2010 in his blog ‘Conversation Tree.’ Mr Ramkarran explains himself in a nutshell right there in that quote. In that article, he states that he chose to abide by the rules of the PPP. One of those rules prevents members from airing public criticism against other members and against the party. During the dark days of PNC dictatorship, the PNC was against public criticism. Ralph Ramkarran and many other PPP leaders nevertheless publicly criticized the PNC. They paraded this act as one of courage, valour and duty to the nation regardless of the formidable risks. There were many things to criticize, despite the PNC’s dire warnings. There was corruption, abuse of state resources, extra-judicial killings, disappearance of funds, a ‘phantom squad’ run by a criminal like Rabbi Washington, marginalization and discrimination against other groups and races, fancy cars and big houses on public servant salaries, moral degeneracy, the breakdown of the rule of law and other evils. Mr Ramkarran and his friends bravely stood out in the rains of intimidation and castigated the PNC. They also lambasted those within the PNC who stood silently by as the nation bled.
Now, Ralph Ramkarran justifies his silence. It does not matter that the PPP now resembles the PNC then. How then could Mr Ramkarran condemn the corruption, abuse of state resources, extra-judicial killings, disappearance of funds, phantom squads run by criminals, marginalization and discrimination against other groups and races, fancy cars and big houses on public servant salaries, moral degeneracy, the breakdown of the rule of law and other evils then, but maintains his silence now? So, enough of the innocent bystander, soft appealer and mutual cooperator. Truth has no political party. Internal appealing has failed for Mr Ramkarran. The situation has worsened with each of the passing 18 years despite his detente. One can’t have one’s cake and eat it too. His position is deeply flawed when transcendence is required. Defence of the nation, its constitution and its people demands men of a different mettle, not relics of a prehistoric mentality of party paramountcy. Mr Ramkarran stated in that article that if the difference between members of an organization relates to fundamental principle then the member is expected to resign. Mr Ramkarran never resigned from the PPP. I guess the abominations of the past 18 years were not matters of fundamental principle. This is not a case of the minority accepting the majority’s decision. This is a case of morality. There is no minority and majority in wrongdoing. Silence breeds consent, informed or not, implicit or explicit. Life is a series of choices. Mr Ramkarran must politically live and die by his.
Yours faithfully,
M Maxwell
