Dhundev Bauhadoor, a Mauritian who heads the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, criticized India for being slow to comment when Chaudhry was deposed in a coup and held hostage for 28 days in 2000. "This cannot continue," he said. "If India is to play her role as mother, she must protect her children wherever they are." 


CC: myindia@guyana.net.gy, vajpayee@sansad.nic.in, soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in 

My fellow Guyanese in Guyana and Abroad: 

I have read many e-mails regarding the wanton 'slaughtering' and destruction of property of Guyanese of East Indian descent by a certain race and indeed criminals. Some of the contributors have come to the conclusion that India should and MUST become involved in what is going on in Guyana and I hereby feel compelled to state the following:-

1. Anyone born in Guyana is a Guyanese regardless of their descent and are governed by the laws of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. It is therefore, the responsibility of Government in Guyana to protect its citizens. This is a fact. The atrocities in Guyana against a certain race has gone on for much too long. The raping of innocent children, women and wanton killing of men have been tolerated with the excuse that Guyanese are 'too docile,' etc.,

2. Emergence from the days of the PNC/Burnham dictatorship is too slow. The present Government, it appears, is not doing enough to stem the tide and hopefully, Guyana does not continue spiralling out of control because no one feels that the situation should be dealt with firmly.

3. Guyana is an Independent Country within the British Commonwealth and help can be sought from Britain. Apart from this, there are many other ways. Curfews, A State of Emergency, more resources channeled towards seeking out and arresting the person(s) involved in perpetuating crime in Guyana. Guyana, being INDEPENDENT have its own laws and I am sure that those laws do not exclude criminals.

It is solely up to the Guyana Government to deal with the situation and if they feel that it is out of their control or ability to deal with the situation firmly, then request help from outside of
Guyana. There is Caricom and there is the Commonwealth.

No one should blame India for not addressing the present situation in Guyana.

Best Regards.

Dora. 


CC: myindia@guyana.net.gy, vajpayee@sansad.nic.in, soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in 
Subject: Re: India Came West...By Indo Guyanese............my response 
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 15:33:50 -0500 

Hello All, 
I agree completely that Indo-Guyanese must muster the courage and will to take an action, or actions, to stop the violence against them in Guyana . 
The aggression against Indians in the diaspora is pathetic and needs to stop before it is repeated in the USA, Canada, the USA and other countries Indians have migrated to over the last decade . 
We are now experiencing growing Indian populations in many non English speaking countries throughout Europe and Latin America . 
Indians must change their perceptions of themselves if they are to change others perceptions of them. 
The media does assist us in our image either, particularly the inaninity and comedic images of East Indians being projected by Bollywood . 
Post 9/11 , there were more attacks against East Indians in Canada than anywhere else in the world . The aggressors did not enquire whether their victims were fArabs , Spanish , Indians or other. 
The point here is that Indians are Indians , regardless of their country of birth and we, the collective , need to work together to prevent these atrocities against Indians in Africa, Europe , South America , the Caribbean and North America. 
If we , East Indians , can make the difference in Guyana then our efferts and success will only serve the best interest of 'ALL' Indians in the diaspora . 
Yes , Indians in Guyana have been waiting for outsiders to fight their struggles when in fact , the power lies in our own hands. 
If Indians in the Diaspora can see how our struggle can and will serve their best interest then maybe India might be interested in pitching in . 
But in order for us , Indians , to achieve this objective , we need to hold our leaders and leadership accountable and responsible , clean house and ruthlessly purge our community of inept leaders and leadership. 
We have supported , protected and defended a leadership in Guyana which has facilitated our aggressors for 40 years . We have talked , debated , argued , reported , appealed and begged for 40 years . If after 4 decades we are unable to change our situation in Guyana then we are simply empowering and encouraging our aggressors. 
I am not ashamed to say that after 40 years it seems to me that justice for Indians may only come from the barrels of guns . 
Sincerely 
Varuna