Dear Editor,
Even as one may tend to support Mr Devanand Bhagwan’s response to Mr David Hind’s letter in Stabroek News, of September 17 titled, ‘The dangerous calls by Mr Hinds for extremist civic actions should be of concern to all,’ Mr Bhagwan ought not to be myopic but see the current situation in Guyana as one that demands a strong response to an obtuse, arrogant state machinery.
Yes, we all must share his concern; I certainly do. I have called for peace and a revival of standards, but not much will change in Guyana unless this PPP/C government is made to understand that the people of Guyana in the November 2011 elections made it clear that it must not be business as usual.
The present regime needs to be reminded that the root cause of every protest has always been the existence of injustice, greed or arrogance. All of these elements are evident in our beloved state of Guyana. These are as old as human history; Mankind’s history has been characterized by the emergence of strong, determined individuals who were prepared by their works and deeds to expose the wrongdoings of their time: Jesus of Nazareth, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther, Cuffy, Gandhi, George Washington, Castro, Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, those in the Spanish and French territories as well as others. These have represented the urge to change things in a society that is crying out for justice, decency and respect for human dignity. When a society produces overnight millionaires, while the ordinary man must hustle to put a loaf of bread on the table and provide the very basic for his family, we need action. Mr Hinds is merely expressing a totally understandable, and I dare say, justified concern of a large portion of our population.
We live in a country where the powers that be are ignoring time-honoured protocols of good governance. For example, clearly, the minority brutal elements in the Police Force injure, kill and terrorize citizens (thank God we still have a majority of police officers and ordinary ranks who are professional and untainted). A group constitutes itself as a People’s Parliament to peacefully draw attention to the wrongs in our society. So the state machinery responds by saying,“move out.” On this score, the Constitution of Guyana which the President and his Cabinet swore to uphold demands the appointment of an Ombudsman to whom any member or group of persons such as those in the People’s Parliament can take their complaints. The Ombudsman apart from this was intended to be a sort of relief valve for persons who see, or believe that wrong is being done. For the life of this PPP administration we have not had an Ombudsman appointed to whom citizens can take their complaints. So, what is left to Mr Hinds and those who cry out for justice daily, to do?
When our Head of State in a public statement says in effect that the Parliament can pass whatever bills they deem fit, but unless the PPP/C agrees, he will not sign them into law.
This is the height of imperial dictum, representing arrogance, disrespect and indifference towards what is supposed to be the highest forum in the land. Look how the government is mistreating its capital, for no other than political reasons, a shameful display of stupidity for the capital city.
Look at the undemocratic control of radio and television – the only case in the West. Citizens in certain areas can only hear and see what the administration wishes them to know. People like Mr Bhagwan must lean on the government to change its ways, listen to the voice of the dispossessed, and listen to their own supporters who are embarrassed by the extent of administrative misdemeanours in Guyana. Mr Bhagwan must respectfully ask the Head of State to deal condignly with the unprincipled men and women who hold high office. Has he noticed that in nearby Trinidad with similar contortions, the Prime Minister has dispensed with the services of three ministers? In Guyana, we promote or reward those who commit misdemeanours. Peace can come to Guyana only if there is first justice for all. Mr Bhagwan needs be reminded that all forms of tyranny must be resisted. When will the people stand up and listen to some of us who refuse to be intimidated by this juggernauth now in control of our Guyana.
It is not too late for the Bhagwans, Hinds el al to sit down and talk, then to say to the President and his aides, we want peace but that must be preceded by justice for all. All of us, including Mr Hinds and Mr Bhagwan should be concerned that people in society are not receiving the benefits of the justice system and there is an administration which either ignores, or is unaware of a massive deterioration in this important segment of society. In view of that what alternative are we left with? It is either to accept a status of peonage and being part of an underclass, or stand up and demand change.
I close with this other example; since this administration has been in office, hundreds have been killed and no inquests were held. The Commission of Inquiry dealing with the deaths of three martyrs at Linden, of course is a welcome development even though isolated.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green JP
