I REFER to a deeply troubling article from Churamanie Bissundyal published in Kaieteur News under the title ‘Are the ministers, advisors, and ambassadors of this naked king the same species and purpose of filth?’ (KN, 28.5.10). The article has done nothing but lowered the level of conversation in this nation. It is at once wild and irresponsible.
Let me start by saying that Bissundyal seems to value the pleasures of writing in a time of hurt, rather than using his imagination, skill, and reputation to provide some enlightened reflections. There is no redem ptive capacity in this discourse.
The act against Mr. Kissoon was vicious and has been rightfully condemned. I do have to say, however, that Bissundyal’s implied attack against the president of this country is equally primal, obscene, putrid, miasmic, and excremental. These are strong words, I know, but Bissundyal needs to reread his article if he thinks this is unfair. If he can live with what he has written, then I have no apologies.
In case you missed Bissundyal’s paroxysm of hatred, let me quote it for you directly. Here he is in his own words – “If I am going to write an impassioned novel, I will name it “The Day of the Champion.”
In this piece, I will write about a filthy man with a filthy mind, a depraved hero who has fallen into the convolutions of his primitive instincts, a man who can’t contain his love and resolve to wallow in filth” Hold on, there is more from this illustrious mind that purports to condemn filth. Here he is again – “This book I will write will have a basic theme, with a question: “How can a man be a champion of decency, nature, and beauty when he is a prisoner of the lowest qualities of the human mind, a man obsessed with the crudest repulsiveness on “Earth” of a thing called ‘filth’?” (Bissundyal).
I do not need, nor am I capable of the artistry of this novelist, but I can tell you this – Bissundyal has concocted a vile little story here, navigating his way through filth and miasmic substances without any use of something called evidence.
Bissundyal declares with bravado that he is an East Indian and a Hindu. In the name of Lord Krishna, of what relevance is that? Although this is not the time to review the past writings of Mr. Kissoon, I must ask Bissundyal where was his pen when the same writer in question was carrying out vicious attacks against his culture under various guises such as the East Indian Mind? Are you a capitalist exploiter Mr. Bissundyal? Do you vote only because of race? Do you fall in the category of “Little Berbicians”? – a demeaning category that was advanced to compartmentalize all Guyanese East Indians living in Queens, New York.
I publicly objected to these plasma cocktails of racialization propounded by Mr. Kissoon. I signed my name. The world knows that Mr. Kissoon and I have had our debates. But where were you, Sir? Or more to the point, where was the enthusiasm for what is right, moral, decent, and productive?  Shouldn’t you have written a book about the politicization of identity then?
I will end by again condemning in the strongest possible terms what happened to Mr. Kissoon.
Bissundyal can go ahead and write fiction, but while he is doing so, the president will continue to work for this nation. His cabinet, ambassadors, and advisors will stand with him. I am personally inviting you to join us on a cabinet outreach if you want to truly see what it takes to govern this country.