By Ryhaan Shah
The new year begins with the revocation of all hope for Guyana’s future development and it comes from no other than President David Granger.
Days ago, I began to write today’s column as an uplifting piece that would have ushered in the new year on a note of hope and optimism.
I wrote: President David Granger does have before him a perfect opportunity to show true graciousness and goodwill as we start the new year. He can allow for the regularising of any deficiencies in the lease agreements for the lands on which the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre stand rather than revoking the lease and reclaiming Red House.
I wrote: Red House has been synonymous with both Presidents Jagan – Cheddi and Janet. It was the young couple’s official home when Dr Jagan became the first Premier of British Guiana. The history and sentiment attached are priceless and there is a natural justness in having this particular building bear his name.
I wrote: We could begin this new year with a common resolve to do better especially since we all know that we can. Granger has the perfect chance to show us how it’s done.
I wrote all that before the news broke that Granger had revoked the Red House lease and in a move of what could only be seen as gratuitous vengeance gave the staff of the Research Centre one day to remove all documents, artefacts, books and records from the premises.
Granger is often touted as a historian even when he shows a distinct lack of the professionalism required for such a title. Historians respect history and would not participate in any act or deed that displays callous disregard for historical sites, documents or personages.
The move to erase Jagan’s name from Red House could be concomitant with Granger and the PNC’s plan to rehabilitate and build a positive image around Burnham. There is every likelihood that renaming the Cheddi Jagan International Airport could be next on their agenda.
Whatever Granger and his Government does, however, they will never be able to rewrite the facts and the truth of Guyana’s history. Burnham’s villainy which wrecked this country is well known even by hardcore PNC supporters. They were among the thousands who lined the streets and mourned Cheddi’s death because he was a man universally admired as an honest and humble politician who was always a champion for the people he served.
He was not perfect but he has been the one politician who still stands as a hero for all Guyanese and especially so for the Indian-Guyanese supporters of the party he founded, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
In fact, he is also Prime Minister Moses Nagamoottoo’s hero. Does Nagamoottoo agree with this mean-spirited move of his Government? Is this what he signed on for?
The revocation is nothing less than a hostile act of the Granger Government that is directed at the Indian-Guyanese population to whom Jagan was and is a symbol of everything fine and decent. That this Government can stoop so low as to deny someone of his stature an archival space of notable significance is beyond all reason and an act of indecency.
Since the National Trust is mandated to preserve and protect this country’s patrimony, they should do the right thing and refuse to accept the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre as their new home.
Granger proves himself a most insensitive “leader” by failing to understand or, worse, not caring about the significance that Red House as the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre holds for a majority group of Guyanese citizens.
It is leaders who set the standards for charity and goodness for us to follow – such as Jagan always did – and Granger fails miserably in this regard.
Coming on the heels of the closure of the Wales Estate and state policies that signal an uncertain future for sugar workers, rice farmers, and the business sector, the revocation brings the year to a close on a note that promises dire prospects ahead for the Indian-Guyanese population in particular.
However, all attempts to remove Jagan’s name from the national consciousness are bound to fail. Cheddi Jagan is central to Guyana’s history and Red House is a significant part of that legacy.
Granger and his Government can serve eviction notices and order up thuggery to rip down signage but Cheddi Jagan’s name, character, and his record as a political leader and a decent human being will always stand supreme and heroic above them all because he lives in the heart of the people and no one can ever remove that.
