In an invited comment on the incident at Region Four Flag- raising Ceremony where Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Donald Gajraj, was seen snatching the microphone from Regional Chairman, Mr. Daniel Seeram, in an effort to prevent an impromptu speech by Member of Parliament, (M.P) Mrs. Catherine Hughes, Mr. Roysdale Forde, S.C, M.P said that he was shocked at the disrespectful action of the REO.
I am hard- pressed to understand the action of the REO against the Regional Chairman, at a public ceremony, said Forde, who is Shadow Attorney and General Minister of Legal Affairs. He said, whilst there is no written law on social decorum in the specific instance, there are unwritten rules on what are considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviours and the REO’s action has crossed over into the unacceptable said Forde.
“It was disgustingly embarrassing not only for the region but also the entire country. It should not have happened. How could an appointed officer publicly disrespect the Regional Chairman, and a Member of Parliament, elected officials, with clear constitutional responsibilities to represent the interests of the people, of Guyana? It is clear the REO has demonstrated an inability to understand his role and obligations to the Council.”
All Guyanese must condemn him in the strongest possible way, Forde asserted. Further, he said, it should be of concern the REO has forgotten chivalry is not outmoded, and one could only wonder how he treats women away from the roving eyes of a camera. Society also remembers disrespect for women is not uncharacteristic among men elected or appointed by the PPP, he added.
The MP cited the incident of last October when a video went viral showing former Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Mr. Charrandass Persaud, being verbally abusive to Indian environmentalist and animal rights activist, Associate Professor Sonya Ghosh.
Ghosh in her complaint to the New Delhi police stated: “The sheer vulgarity and obscenity of the words spoken along with the intimidating hand gestures and the body posture of the harasser, as can be seen in the video, is a clear sign of the intent of the harasser to outrage the modesty of the undersigned. Further, the words spoke, alone amount to sexual harassment from a bare perusal of the aforementioned provisions of Indian Penal Code, 1860.”
The Irfaan Ali government was forced to recall him in the face of public outcries.
Interestingly, it is not the first time Mr. Gajraj has violated basic organisational protocols; there were other instances, but the REO was never disciplined pointed out the MP. It now appears, he said, that Gajraj, who was appointed by the Ali-led government, has the fiat of the government to do whatsoever he very well pleased.
“What is also worrying is that he objected to the chairman inviting a M.P to make remarks at the event because she was not listed on the programme. Even if the M.P was not listed on the programme, the fact that she was invited by the chairman should have been a sufficient reason for the officer to allow the M.P to speak because neither the programme nor the event (Flag- raising Ceremony) was the personal possession of the REO; it was Council’s programme and event. The Regional Chairman is the head of the Council. Perhaps, the fact that she was from another political party influenced the action of the REO to prevent her from speaking.”
Forde, in stating he hopes Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will take appropriate action to prevent any recurrence of such disrespectful action by the REO, also pointed out that Ali’s ‘one Guyana’ slogan continues to spawn a new type of political behaviour that is anti-nationalistic, disrespectful and divisive. According to him, Guyanese will encounter difficulties working together for the common good in such a hostile environment.
On the other hand, he said, the Regional Chairman must be commended for taking the initiative to attempt to include a female M.P in the programme. “This is the quality of leadership that would advance the development of our country. The full and active participation of women in public life is vital to building sustainably strong, vibrant democracies. As well, the meaningful involvement and participation of women in national, local, and community events and activities has become a central focus of global development policy.”
