Sat slams ‘bogus TT democracy’

By SANDRA SINGH Wednesday, January 2 2008

SECRETARY General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Satnarine Maharaj yesterday lashed out at politicians over the state of the country, deeming TT as a “bogus and sham democracy.” He claimed although it appeared people were free, “there were elements around which were organised to deny us the freedom we should enjoy.”

Maharaj made these strong statements at Maha Sabha headquarters in St Augustine where a ‘puja’ (Hindu prayer) was held to mark the start of the New Year. “While the firecrackers and fireworks had expelled its energy, people were now forced to go back to ordinary living by facing the crises that plague us day after day,” Maharaj said.

He added that last year the country experienced a peaceful General Election as compared to the carnage in Pakistan and Kenya. However, he questioned whether this was sufficient. “We see leaders on a daily basis going to and from court, judges being threatened with the Chief Justice being tormented for two years and almost destroyed. There is rising crime where more blood is flowing on the streets than water in WASA pipes, a healthcare system in disarray, high food prices and a nation starving in the midst of prosperity,” Maharaj slammed.

He further remarked that “we may have survived but we survived in a bogus democracy.”

Maharaj also lamented that TT was “the first democratic country that never held a referendum on any topic”, with “policies and programmes being introduced” without consultation of the people. He cited an example of the proposed smelter plants, saying health concerns were raised by the citizens but instead of having a referendum on the issue, “it was being rammed down the throats of the people.”

He added that the brainpower of the land was also moving away with businessmen having to conduct their business abroad. “Don’t congratulate yourself that we are a democracy. We are a bogus democracy where only those with political power enjoy the benefits,” he said. He stated that “to be a true democratic nation everyone had to enjoy the benefits of democracy.”

He claimed that it was almost six years ago, “judges in London ruled that we (the Maha Sabha) should be given our democratic right” and should be paid cost and compensation and loss of earnings. However, it is more than two years and the matter has not been heard.” “How could this be democracy? This is bogus democracy,” Maharaj said as he was dealing with the Maha Sabha case which went before the Privy Council on the issue of the granting of a radio station licence.

He further called for any matter dealing with the constitutional rights of the people to be cost free, saying that people should not have to pay to preserve their constitutional right. “The biggest culprit in denying the people their right is always the Government and the state who are always trying to erode the people’s rights,” Maharaj insisted.

He added that “the ordinary man did not have access to the courts and only those with money could afford to preserve their rights.”

Maharaj ended by calling upon the people “to become vigilant and always stand up, speak out and fight against anybody who would deny us the freedom.” He also called upon the politicians to involve the citizens in the state’s administration.

Why Sat doh haul he mudder cont and talk about his support for the COP that have the fockin PNM wey dey is and that is why we have ah fockin bogus democracy.

Why he doh talk about how he have to pander to the whims and fancy of the fockin PNM who continue to keep the Maha Sabha alive wid PNM money.

Why the fock he doh talk about Thirbhawan who is the President of the Maha Sabha but ah big fockin PNMite.

Talk about the fockin COP and how much money some of dem fellas make to keep the UNC a and the COP apart.

Talk about yuh self as ah fockin dictator, how yuh force pundits and teachers to wok and support the COP for free otherwise the fockers would be lookin for wok dis morning.

Talk about the fockin radio station all yuh kill all yuh self over, saying the Hindu community needed to communicate with its people and supporters, but yuh turn into a COP campaign machine. (They shouldnt give yuh one fock)

Is ah wonder yuh aint blame Panday for all of the fockin above.

Big mudder cont dictator talkin bout bogus democracy.

My mudder cont.