The Alliance for Change (AFC) and its women arm, Women For Change (WFC), in a recent statement condemned in the harshest possible terms the total disrespect directed at Member of Parliament (MP), Mrs. Catherine Hughes, at the Region Four Republic Flag Raising ceremony on Wednesday February 22, 2023. The issue to which the two speak of is related to an incident involving Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Donald Gajraj.
According to the party, the behaviour of Gajraj, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member, was nothing but vile bullyism designed to silence a female MP and the voices of women in general.
“For those who would not have seen the video recording, Regional Chairman Region 4 Daniel Seeram invited the MP, who was seated in the audience, to make brief remarks after he realised that there were no female speakers at the event. The REO physically accosted the microphone from the Regional Chairman demanding the microphone and like a school yard bully used his size and clout to silence the female MP.”
Seeram, who has since lodged an assault complaint with the Police against Gajraj, in a letter (February 22, 2023) stated he:-
“noticed [on the day in question] that the programme was predominantly male-dominated and, therefore, invited the Hon. Catherine Hughes MP to give brief remarks and add diversity. This announcement was well-received by the audience, who all applauded in approval.
“However, the afternoon’s activity was marred by the inappropriate and vile actions of the Government’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Donald Gajraj, who insisted that Mrs. Hughes could not speak and further tried to snatch the microphone from my hand as I stood at the podium.
“To add further insult to the situation, the REO carried on like a wild animal, displaying very much uncivilised behavior in the presence of the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony MP, other Members of Parliament, members of the joint services, school children, and other local, regional, and national stakeholders.”
The disrespect for the MP and a woman at that, as displayed by the REO can only be seen as indicative of his contempt for women, asserted the AFC. The WFC has called on President Irfaan Ali and the PPP to disassociate themselves from the REO and instruct that he issues an apology to the MP.
Others have also condemned the REO’s behaviour, including Georgetown Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine, Shadow Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul, who called for his removal, and Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Roysdale Forde, S.C who expressed shock at the behaviour and hope the Region will take appropriate action to prevent any recurrence.
