More charges of ethnic discrimination in T&T

The Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC) has accused Works Minister Colm Imbert of discrimination, pointing out that the ministry's vehicles were used in Emancipation Day celebrations in Port-of-Spain on Saturday but ITEC's request for similar assistance was rejected.

ITEC chairman Devant Maharaj circulated photos showing a Ministry of Works and Transport Maintenance Division truck transporting Pelican African drummers. He said when his organization asked the same ministry for the same type of assistance for Indian Arrival Day celebrations, the ministry turned down the request.

A letter from Maharaj to Imbert said: “A virtual convoy of government vehicles, many of them owned by the ministry, was used to transport drums and participants on the emancipation procession in Port-of-Spain.

“Over the past few years, ITEC has observed this practice occurring, but we remained silent, believing that the facility will be extended to others in the national community for similar events.

“Having not materialised, ITEC now seeks clarification on the matter.”

He said ITEC members have no recollection of any official ministry vehicles being used for similar holidays such as Indian Arrival Day celebrations, adding that such transportation costs more than $65,000.

Maharaj's letter told the minister the the Indian community would feel a “collective sense of hurt if it is found that utilisation of ministry vehicles is only afforded to one ethnic group.

“ITEC will appreciate if the minister can advise how the Indian community can benefit from this facility of the ministry.”

“The minister has to answer why it is that one ethnic group enjoys preferential treatment under the Manning administration, while the other Indo group continues to be the target for inequality of treatment.”

Imbert did not deny the use of government vehicles for the emancipation event. He told local media Sunday the Emancipation Support Committee, which has existed for more than 30 years, made a formal request for use of the trucks.

“I also want to find out how old is this organisation, and whether it is registered. I am not commenting until he answers these questions," Imbert told the Trinidad Guardian.

He insisted that if organizations make a formal request the ministry would not turn them down. “We would not turn anybody down,” he said.

But Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), Sat Maharaj, immediately challenged the minister on that saying the SDMS was denied the same privileges.

“We have made formal requests and they have always been turned down. Our greatest problem is transportation costs, and we are continually making requests to local government authorities and the State for transportation assistance...They have always denied us this," the Hindu leader said.

He added, “I feel that is blatant discrimination. They cannot use State authority vehicles from the Port-of-Spain City Council or either the Ministry of Works, for emancipation, but not for Indian Arrival Day.

“These people are receiving over $4 million from the Ministry of Culture, plus free transportation and other things...They getting multiple contributions from the State and we are not. This is sufficient for us to feel aggrieved.”

The Maha Sabha is more than 50 years old and is a registered organization by an act of Parliament.

Commentators have taken issue with the minister for suggesting that the age of an organization or whether it is registered is important in this debate.

One comment to the Trinidad Guardian stated: "Mr. Imbert, the age and registration parameters of the organization is irrelevant to the discussion. Please respond to the allegations made by Mr. Maharaj. As a member of the concerned public, I eagerly await your response."