Dear Editor,
WHAT a shame it is that A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) are resorting to vile personal attacks against Education Minister, Priya Manickchand. In so doing, the revelation is quite clear, that is, the protest against vaccination is not about well-being of any sort, but is wholly anti-government.

The press and social media highlighted that antagonism reached new heights (maybe low) during recent protests sponsored by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), descending to a song titled “Priya is a Wild Hog”. This was picked up and transmitted by APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan, on his social media page almost instantly.

As expected, support for Ms. Manickchand was there from many quarters, and I am happy to add my name in tandem to those of Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and Minster of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira.

The PM noted his disappointment, stating that “… some sections of society may find it entertaining to target the Minister of Education with such distasteful messages, and that most disturbing is that a sitting member of the National Assembly, Mr Sherod Duncan, has shared this revolting song on his social media platform.”

Madam Gail Teixeira, in like manner, slammed those who condone the depraved attacks on the minister and the creation of the song, which uses lyrics that featured in chants by teachers who took part in a recent GTU-sponsored protest outside the Ministry of Education. According to her, “The latest video/song, posted on Sherod Duncan’s Facebook ‘Priya is a Wild Hog’, is another act that illustrates the depths of depravity that permeate the PNC/APNU/AFC and Guyana Teachers Union circles.” I mean who says that teachers are noble? Not those on the GTU bandwagon for sure.

When disagreement is used as an excuse to perpetrate “incidents of bullyism, sexism and misogyny on social media and in street protests” that goes back to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections, they must be condemned and exposed for what they are.

Yours truly,
Baldeo Mathura