The Guyana Indian Indentureship Abolition Association (GIIAA) last Friday hosted a ceremony to mark the 100 years since the abolition of Indian indentured labour. Indentureship, which was a system of bond labour, and used to source the plantation society after the abolition of slavery in 1834, saw various ethnic groups coming to then British Guiana.Those who came through the indentured system were Africans, Chinese, Portuguese, Europeans, and East Indians. India provided the largest and most sourced supply of this labour. The system of indentured servitude was abolished by the British Crown in 1917. Abolition came as the result of justified determined resistance by the indentured, those who empathised and lobbied against its tyranny, including locals, British Parliamentarians, and others within that society.
Agitating against the mistreatment of workers was trade unionist Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, whom the indentured Indians nicknamed the ‘Black Crosby,’ in homage to the white Immigration Agent General, whose role it was to look into their welfare, and whom they considered their only friend. Indentured labour has become solely associated with our Indian brothers and sisters, given that they represented the significant majority. That Indians have played a significant role in developing this society, none can deny. Equally it cannot be denied the presence and contributions of this group in every sector of society, moulding and shaping the nation’s mosaic.
There is much within this centennial anniversary that Guyanese can learn about the system, its cruelty, and the indomitable spirit of those who fought against it. Such frank and honest discussions would also allow for reflection on how far we have come as a people, and examining the hindrance to achieving the aspiration of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” This could be a year for Guyana to shine. But something went awry last Friday at the GIIA’s event to commemorate the end of abolition of indentured servitude.
Sitting in the audience included members of the Government, Opposition and Diplomatic Corps and those referred to as Rights Activists and promoter of a race blind world. Outside of the speeches to recall the struggles and honoured contributions of Indians, as with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and a few others, some took this moment of reflection to raise issues, real or perceived, that have since generated spirited debates.
For instance,Rhyaan Shah holds the view that Indians have been marginalised. This perception is held where Guyana has seen an Indian-dominated government holding the reins for 34 of the 74 years of self-government, of which 23 of the last 25 years it held office. It is hoped Ms. Shah could provide supporting evidence to damnable claim that would bring about deserving attention. Ravi Dev, who viewed the closure of Wales Estate as an attack on Indians, overlooked the diversity of those workers. While it is not expected he would be a Critchlow, it is reasonable to expect he would have considered all the workers, irrespective of race, deserving of equal attention.
Adrian Anamayah,Member of Parliament (MP) from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic,expressed the view that “Indian businessmen are being penalised for their success,” making a call to his “Indian brethren…to stand firm and resist.” The MP also felt that the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) is set up to target Indian businessmen. The SARU is established to recover state assets acquired through questionable means, which Anamayah is aware of. It is therefore offensive to Indians and every businessman, who would have acquired their assets legitimately to feel that they are being targeted. As a public servant paid by taxpayers, irrespective of race, the MP has brought disrepute to the august body he sits in and insulted all Guyanese who are paying him and playing by the rules.
The GIIAA event lays bare, once again, the simmering mistrust and stereotypes of others. Though inflammable some of the presentations may have been where these views exist and are being promoted by leaders, they cannot be ignored. The society will look towards sources like the government, organisations like the Universal Peace Federation, headed by Roshan Khan,to stimulate discussions that flowed from that event. For it surely reminds that Guyanese can no longer play deaf to these voices and their perceptions, real or perceived. Mahatma Gandhi encourages that “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” Ms. Shah, and Messrs. Dev and Anamayah would aid the comity of country paying heed to his wisdom.