Kamla: I fight for all

“I would fight just as hard for any other group being discriminated against,” she said, when asked whether her statements contradicted UNC’s stated policy of inclusion. In her speech she accused Government of implementing a policy that significantly discriminates against Indo-Trinidadians and cited a number of East Indians who had been fired.

Denying that she was seeking to stir up tribal instincts, Persad-Bissessar stated that as education minister she invited all religious groups to participate in the school building programme. “I brought in the Pentecostals for the first time. We gave the Baptists a school. We created a new Roman Catholic School in Point Fortin.”

Also recalling that she had brought forward the Orisha Marriage law, Persad-Bissessar said when she had the power she demonstrated in tangible terms her commitment to equality. “I gave schools to all religious groups,” she said, adding that during her tenure as education minister she even co-partnered with an African school — which was teaching African history and language — bringing it into the fold.

“I will continue to fight discrimination — whether it be gender, geographic, religious or ethnic,” Persad-Bissessar said. She added that she grew up in Siparia, “one of the most cosmopolitan places you can find.”

Persad-Bissessar said she intended to raise the issue of gender discrimination shortly. She also stressed that the structure of the National Awards discriminated against certain groups ever getting awards. She noted that it was also labelled the Prime Minister’s awards, thereby giving it a political favour. Persad-Bissessar said she intended to call on Government to move to implement the recommendation of the De la Bastide commission.