No chutney at NAPA; Indo group wants to know why

The Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC) has called on Culture Minister Marlene Macdonald to immediately explain why the National Chutney Foundation was refused use of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) to host the World Chutney Soca Monarch.

In a letter to the minister, ITEC Chairman Devant Maharaj stated that he learned about the matter through media reports that quote National Chutney Foundation president Vijay Ramlal as saying the minister rejected the use of the facility because in her view NAPA was not built for “those kinds of things”.

Maharaj said, "Given that Chutney and Chutney Soca is an Indo-Trinbagoian cultural expression that is now considered part of our mainstream cultural landscape ITEC asks the Minister to define and explain what is meant by the expression “those kind of things”.

"Is the Minister implying that the NAPA is not to be used for Indian cultural events? And if not could the Minister clarify and specify the kinds of Indian cultural events that she would find acceptable for the hallowed halls of NAPA?" Maharaj asked.

"It appears that the NAPA was not only to be built by friends of the ruling PNM Administration but is perhaps also for the sole and exclusive use of the PNM its servants and its agents.

"This would be consistent with the implementation of other government polices by this Ministry such as the recent award of $46 Million worth of “scholarships” to friends, family and supporters of the PNM," the ITEC chairman stated.

He said he "anxiously awaits the Minister’s response", adding that failing that ITEC "shall file a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Integrity Commission for a violation of the Code of Ethics governing persons in public life."

The head of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), the country's major Hindu group, Sat Maharaj, does not support chutney.

He told the Trinidad Express: "We do not support chutney. It is obscene, it is promoting alcohol, it is not promoting behaviour recommended for our children and we will not lend our institutions for such performances."

The ITEC chairman is an executive member of the SDMS.