The A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) at a press conference on Tuesday made clear their feeling the governing People’s Progressive Party is showing increasing disrespect for women and President Irfaan Ali’s 1000-men initiative to “fix” and “reorient” men is “hypocritical!”
According to the coalition, the president’s initiative launch, which reportedly is aimed at offering men and boys “much-needed mentorship and direction” is typical PPP hypocrisy and fakery. “He and his government still see no need to fully recognise the depravity and shame of Charrandass Persaud’s vile behaviour (committed since last year August) towards Professor Sonya Ghosh.”
Persaud was caught on tape verbally assaulting 63-year-old Ghosh, who is also an environmentalist and animal rights activist, in the vilest of manner and using the crudest of language.
Gosh, who made a report to the New Delhi police, stated in her complaint she was “sexually harassed & her modesty was outraged & insulted by an individual who identifies himself as Charrandass Persaud, Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, residing at 339 Church Road, Vasant Kunj…on August 1, 2021.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded on the same day the video went viral (October 25), claiming the matter was “brought to the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs of India by High Commissioner Persaud, was fully investigated by the relevant authorities and a formal response to the High Commissioner dated September 3, 2022 indicates that ‘allegation of sexual abusive words to complainant has [sic] not been substantiated.’”
However, Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Roysdale Forde, SC, countered by demanding the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, released the report the ministry is referring to that claimed the Indian authorities said Ms. Ghosh’s complaint has not been substantiated.” Going further, Forde said the PPP has a credibility problem and nothing they say must be taken at face value. “Making public the report would be a good starting point to establishing credibility.”
The Opposition reminded the nation there “has been no apology from the PPP government to Professor Ghosh, or to the women and citizens of India,” whilst making known “Charrandass’ return from his post was not a firing, as it ought to have been, but a negotiated compromise between Irfaan Ali and himself.” They condone and cover up [the] lawlessness as they further damage the image of Guyana, the opposition charged.
According to the coalition “most Guyanese would agree with last Friday’s SN Editorial on the Charrandass matter that ‘there is the misogyny which characterises this administration, from which even its ministers are far from immune.’ The editorial added, ‘Of course the government at an official level talks the talk about women’s rights, etc, but the behaviour of those associated with it and what comes out of their mouths unofficially contradicts this.’”
Given expression of public concern about the mistreatment of women by those in the PPP leadership, the Opposition referred to Ali’s 1000-men initiative aimed to “fix” and “reorient” men as “hypocritical!”
No doubt, we must address the issues faced by our young men and all young people today, noted the coalition, but sporadic and piece-meal schemes will not work.
“We need comprehensive and integrated plans based on clear identification of problems, their causes, and solutions (such as our National Youth Policy of 2019).
“We need multi-faceted approaches that provide a wide range of opportunities for our young men and women to pursue their aspirations. And we need to invest the financial resources to get meaningful results. Young men need good examples and surely the likes of [Vice President Bharrat] Jagdeo and Charrandass are bad examples to all humans. They are both protected by a corrupt and lawless regime.
“Above all, we need to restore the moral fabric in our society. Too much immorality has been normalised. We must reverse this. The PPP’s misogyny, corruption, and executive lawlessness only make matters worse.
“Our young men and women deserve far better.”
