Killing of 6-year-old Orlando Jaikarran: Human Services Minister condemns use of religion, superstition in child abuse

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud has strongly condemned the use of religion and superstition to justify atrocities against children, declaring that no faith should ever serve as a cover for brutality, as outrage continues over the killing of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran.

Speaking at a candlelight vigil on Thursday evening at the Bath Community Centre in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Persaud denounced the circumstances surrounding Orlando’s death and called for those responsible to face the harshest penalties under the law.
“No faith, no religion, no one should parade under the guise of faith and religion to do the kinds of atrocities that I’m hearing of. None,” the Minister declared.
“We cannot condone these things. And I’m very plain about it. Don’t subscribe to nonsense and superstition.”
Her remarks came ahead of the anticipated court appearance today involving Orlando’s father and a “religious” leader, described as a pujari, in connection with the child’s death.
Orlando was reported missing from his home at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, prompting a search involving Police and residents. His father had reportedly claimed that the child was missing when he checked the following morning.
The search ended tragically when Orlando’s decomposed body was discovered in a canal in the Waterloo area on the West Coast of Berbice.
The circumstances surrounding his death subsequently became the subject of a Police investigation, with his father and the religious leader identified as persons of interest.

Monstrosity
Persaud, who joined Education Minister Sonia Parag, Government officials, teachers, students, and residents at Thursday’s vigil, described Orlando’s death as an act of brutality beyond comprehension.
“What has happened is a monstrosity, a brutality beyond what any sensible mind can comprehend,” she declared.
“I expect a thorough investigation. I expect prosecution. That is why the law is here. I expect the harshest penalty for anyone who committed this. No holds barred.”
Persaud also referred to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s response to the tragedy, noting that he had raised the possibility of reviewing existing penalties.
According to Persaud, the President had suggested that the time may have come to revisit some of the penalties currently provided under the law.
The Minister expressed anger that a child could suffer such a fate when the adults responsible for his care should have been his greatest source of protection.
“The arms that should love, care for, protect, and hold a child safe – those arms didn’t do that,” she said.
Persaud urged parents and guardians never to allow anger or adult conflicts to result in harm to children, stressing that their safety must remain paramount.

Support
Parag, who also addressed the vigil, demanded accountability, and pledged support for Orlando’s grieving school community.
“Every ounce of what the law should do, it should do in this case,” Parag declared.
The Education Minister disclosed that she intends to personally visit Bath Primary School, where Orlando was a Grade One pupil, to provide comfort and support to his classmates and teachers.
Referring to his teacher, identified as Miss O’Neill, Parag said the pain she was experiencing demonstrated the close bond she had developed with Orlando despite his having spent only a few months in her classroom.
She reflected on the fact that neither his teacher nor classmates could have known that their last interaction with the six-year-old would be their final opportunity to see him.
Persaud also recalled speaking with Orlando’s teacher, who described him as peaceful, loving and cooperative. She said the outpouring of support demonstrated the impact the child had made on those around him during his short life.
The Minister also addressed the emotional impact of Orlando’s death on children who knew him, stressing that their grief must not be overlooked.
She disclosed that the Child Care and Protection Agency had intervened following the tragedy and was continuing to provide comfort and assistance.
Persaud called for counselling and therapy for Orlando’s classmates and other affected children, saying they needed support to process their grief while preserving memories of their young friend.

Community responsibility
Apart from the immediate demands for justice, both Ministers challenged residents to take greater responsibility for protecting children within their communities.
Parag warned that the traditional sense of collective responsibility was weakening and urged residents to recognise that safeguarding children could not be left solely to parents, schools or Government agencies.
“Everyone comes and says that it takes a village and it takes a community to raise a child, but we’re losing that sense of community. We’re losing that sense of community.
“And I am going to call on all of you to be that community and be that village that is going to help to raise our children and to help to keep our children safe and to keep our children away from things that will hurt them and cost them their lives.”
The Education Minister stressed that while schools and Government ministries have important responsibilities, communities must also play an active role in ensuring that children are protected from harm.
Persaud also urged parents to listen when children raise concerns and never dismiss what they are told, stressing the importance of ensuring that children feel safe approaching the adults responsible for their care.
As the gathering reflected on Orlando’s life, Persaud appealed for the tragedy to become a turning point in the way communities protect children.
“Let tonight not be the end of it. Let us not see this as something we go past,” she urged.
She called for continued support for Orlando’s grieving family, classmates and teachers, while appealing for a lasting commitment to protecting children and ensuring that justice is served.