Pres Ali recalls Charrandas Persaud from India over obscene outburst

Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Charrandas Persaud, has been recalled from his post following the circulation of a video which shows him verbally abusing a woman at his official residence in New Delhi.
This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali via a Facebook Live on Wednesday.
According to the Head of State, the video was brought to his attention on Tuesday, and he subsequently had a telephone conversation with Persaud, who also served as Guyana’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. During that engagement, President Ali said, Persaud has agreed to accept “full responsibility” for his actions, and will return home.
“Mr Charandas agreed with me that in keeping with the best interests of Guyana and the image of Guyana, that he will return home from his posting in India,” the President revealed during his Wednesday morning address. He went on to say that official steps will now be taken to ensure a smooth transition, and to continue to strengthen work with India.
“I want to assure all Guyanese that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Guyana continue to work every day to strengthen our relationships, the relationship not only with India, but with every other partner across the globe,” the Guyanese Leader assured.
In the video making its rounds on social media, Persaud, while standing at the gate of his residence in India, is heard telling a woman: “You probably want the dog to f**k you, that is what you want. And I don’t care. I don’t care who you are…f**k you.”

President Ali indicated that during their conservation, Persaud explained that the incident took place since August 2021, and that the video being circulated is not a full reflection of what took place.
“He informed me that the video was not complete in demonstrating exactly what took place. Notwithstanding this, I explained to Mr Charrandas that representatives of our country must, in all occasion and on every occasion, conduct themselves in the highest order and regard,” the Head of State related.
He further noted that it was communicated to him by the now former diplomat that this matter was already dealt with by the relevant authorities in India, and he was vindicated of any wrongdoing.
“…there was no evidence of any misconduct, and for a matter of fact, he was cleared of any accusations of sexual harassment. He also shared with me a letter that substantiated this statement,” the President stated.
While there are questions on whether the Guyana Government was immediately made aware of the incident and took any actions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, following the rapid circulation of the video on Tuesday, issued a statement on the matter.
It explained that Persaud himself had informed the Ministry of External Affairs in India of the incident, and was fully investigated by the relevant authorities. Additionally, it was noted that a formal response to the High Commission, dated September 3, 2022, indicates that “allegations of sexual abusive words to complainant has [sic] not been substantiated”. To this end, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Georgetown said in Tuesday’s missive that it considered this matter “closed”.
However, this response did not sit well with some sections, including the Women & Gender Equality Commission, which on Wednesday not only expressed its utter dismay at Persaud’s “vile and disgusting” actions, but also bashed the Foreign Affairs Ministry over its handling of the matter.
Nevertheless, the Commission said, it was pleased with “swift and decisive” action taken by President Ali to immediately recall Persaud from his post.
“The actions of this one individual at the level he served our country has tarnished us as a nation. Guyana has had a rich and distinguished history of diplomatic representation at the global level. Never before has any country representative behaved in such a manner as to cause us such embarrassment. It is time to remind those who represent our country that we are judged by the way they act and carry themselves. The way in which we conduct and carry on our public and personal (lives) must be exemplary in thought and deed. Once again, we wish to commend the President,” the Commission stated in its missive.
Meanwhile, President Ali’s announcement on Persaud’s recall has also been lauded by some APNU/AFC Opposition members. Persaud is a former Alliance For Change member and a former Parliamentarian under the previous Coalition Administration. He rose to prominence following his “yes vote” on a PPP/C-sponsored no-confidence motion against the APNU/AFC Government on the night of December 21, 2018.
He had departed Guyana immediately for Canada on the night the coalition Government was toppled, out of fear for his life, after he had received death threats.
Persaud returned to Guyana following the swearing-in of President Ali, and was subsequently accredited as High Commissioner to India in March 2021. He was accredited as Guyana’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka last December. (G8)