Dear Editor,

THE National Cultural Centre was in the news recently regarding the poor performance of the staff during the hosting of India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Not many may know that the cultural centre was built with money from the Indian Immigration Fund by Forbes Burnham in spite of objections from Indian community leaders and politicians, including Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP. The opponents wanted the funds to be used to build cultural centres around the country.

Those who objected to the use of the Indian fund were penalised. In fact, during the ethnic dictatorship (1966 through 1992), anyone who asserted cultural independence or challenged cultural policy was severely punished. The late Dr. Balwant Singh (head of the Gandhi Youth Organisation.) and Mohamed Insanally, among others, were victims for cultural assertion, cultural nationalism, and opposing Burnhamism.

The duo, among others, used to organise celebrations relating to Indian Arrival on May 5. It used to be called Rama-Khan Day to commemorate the presence of Hindus and Muslims (the first Indian persons) to set foot on the colony. The two, among others, called for a holiday for Rama-Khan Day, Burnham rebuffed them and would victimise them.

Insanally was admired for his courage in standing up to Burnham. He was the best graduating student at UG. He was extremely brilliant winning many prizes at UG and was hired as a lecturer at the university after graduation.  But as a critic of Burnham’s authoritarian rule and racism against Indians and Amerindians, he was fired. He became a hired car driver until he packed up and left for London.

Dr. Balwant also became a victim after he objected to the use of the Indian Immigration funds to build Burnham’s cultural centre. At the time, Dr. Balwant was the leading pathologist and bacteriologist in the country. In fact, the colonial rulers respected and saluted his professionalism.

Dr. Balwant at a May 5 Rama-Khan Day celebration publicly announced his opposition to Burnham’s use of the Indian people’s money. Although he was affiliated with the PNC, that did not protect him from Burnham’s vindictiveness who tolerated zero criticism. Burnham fired him from his job, and he went into private practice, becoming one of the doctors who was approved by the US Embassy to evaluate the medical health of would be migrants to America.

Since the change in administration in October 1992, and the restoration of democratic governance, people have become free to critique the government without fear of victimisation from their government position.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram