–says will continue to speak out against ‘inflammatory statements’ that threaten peace, security of Guyana

PEOPLE’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) member, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, has condemned “paternalistic” and “Chauvinist” remarks made against her by Working People’s Alliance (WPA), David Hinds.

Hinds, during the June 9 streaming of the Gildharie and Freddie Show, said that he citicised Chandan-Edmond for speaking out against racially incendiary remarks made by his fellow WPA member, Tacuma Ogunseye, in March.

He said that he had to make the Indo-Guyanese PNCR-member “an example” by calling her a “slaver catcher,” since she had “put her mouth into something when she should have shup-up.”
Hinds had previously said that the PNC/R Indo-Guyanese members were only there to attract Indo-Guyanese voters.

However, Chandan-Edmond in a letter said that she will not be moved by Hinds and will speak out against any inflammatory statements that can threaten the peace and security of Guyana.
“Although I am in the Opposition realm, my commitment to country is paramount and where I see a need to speak out on issues to preserve our Republic, I shall not hesitate to do so. Dr. Hinds’ paternalistic and chauvinist calls for me to ‘shut up’, will not affect the sacred commitment to country.

“Regardless of one’s ethnic origins, the peace and unity of Guyana is everyone’s business, and no one should have their tongues tied in these affairs due to tribal and ethnic restrictions,” Chandan-Edmond said in her letter.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that during a public meeting at Buxton, Ogunseye made incendiary remarks about Guyana’s Indo-Guyanese and called for the Disciplined Services “to turn their guns on the State.”

Ogunseye, during a gathering at Buxton on the East Coast Demerara said: “I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed, and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police and they say they are oppressed. And they still say our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over.”
This utterance has landed him before the court for attempting to incite racial hostility in Guyana.

He also called for a day of “National Resistance” on June 12, which was set aside for the holding of the Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Since the utterance of those statements, numerous persons and groups have called out and condemned the remarks as racist and inciting.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton is yet to distance himself from those problematic remarks.

Instead of publicly condemning Ogunseye’s incendiary remarks, the Leader of the Opposition said that he did not agree with Ogunseye’s choice of words, though he supports the freedom of speech of the WPA.

The General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had called out the PNC/R for its discrimination against its Indo-Guyanese members.

The General Secretary said that Aubrey Norton has been the Leader of the Opposition for over a year and already the party has changed two Indo-Guyanese general secretaries and a treasurer.
Jagdeo reasoned that such a philosophy is not in line with the values of a modern, democratic society, and that the PNC/R needs to embrace a more inclusive and progressive approach if it hopes to remain relevant in the political landscape.

The General Secretary said that this is an important message, as it highlights the need for political parties to evolve with the times and adapt to the changing needs and values of their constituents.