RECENT comments by President Donald Ramotar backing his predecessor that there is evidence supporting attempts to re-awaken an atmosphere of bigotry in society were concurred by Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon at his statutory post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday. President Ramotar, as well, was asked by reporters about former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s comments at Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud’s funeral, and he reminded them of the context in which it was said.
“The opposition press seems to all be focusing on that without mentioning the point that Jagdeo was speaking first and foremost about, equal opportunities for all the peoples,” President Ramotar said.
“The press seems to be uncritical of the opposition and very attacking on the Government… I don’t see anything wrong with what was said because fundamentally he was speaking about equal opportunity for all,” President Ramotar said.
Jagdeo’s comments that spawned conflicting reactions from his usual foes came as he drew similarities between the vilification Guyanese, particularly political stalwarts, faced in the era of colonial hegemony and recent attempts to justify an argument that senior positions occupied by 38 Guyanese in the public service were awarded to them because of their ethnic origin.
Dr. Luncheon reminded of the former President’s clarion call for all to be attentive about ‘this aspect of our social engagements’ and to also be aware of the ‘perils of us having to confront this issue once again’.
Mr. Jagdeo, in his remarks at the funeral on April 11, had made an appeal for society not to countenance such demeanours as it will disenchant those who struggled for Guyana to attain the liberties it is enjoying today.