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Dear Editor,
One can’t help but notice the small mindedness and pettiness of a few leading figures amongst the political directorate who have not offered condolence on the passing of Yesu Persaud or Balram Singh Rai. Even when Komal Chand passed away, condolence was not offered by small minded political actors from his own party and who also blanked the funeral.
One can have public differences with Komal and Yesu and still show empathy and sorrow in death. One can abuse Yesu but still respect him for his achievements. Status was not accorded to Yesu on a silver platter like some selfish politician who was handed political leadership. He worked hard for success.
Komal Chand, Balram Singh Rai, and Yesu Persaud were prominent citizens, pioneers in their field of endeavor. They contributed significantly to independence of thought. Rai and Komal helped built the PPP. At a minimum, their successors of political leadership and power should show gratitude for and recognize their pioneering work with some kind of statement on their passing.
The silence of political actors or reluctance to praise the dead for their contributions would not diminish how the public viewed the deceased. Instead, their silence exposed their own pettiness and unsuitability for high office. To maintain enmity bad mindedness in death, and to victimize even the dead is not the trade of statesmen. Such actors don’t belong in public life. They don’t deserve the kind of adulation being heaped on them by sections of the public. Such individuals should walk away from public life.
Yours truly,
Balram Gangadeen
