00:00Jaden, a student of St. Stephen's College in Princestown, tragically took his own life
00:06last Wednesday.
00:07He was reportedly bullied and tormented by fellow students.
00:11Today, Pastor Gaj Ram Singh called on students, all present, and who were watching the service
00:17online, not to be silent.
00:20To all the students that are here, in this building, and to all the students looking
00:24on, don't be silent, speak up, say something.
00:34Gaj Ram Singh, who also told the congregation that he too suffered bullying in the final
00:39year of his studies, recalled that he knew Jaden and his family very well as they had
00:44been attending the iCare church services over the last year.
00:49As a result, he said it was hard not to take the news of Jaden's death personally.
00:55Like I said, I'm trying my absolute best not to make this thing personal.
00:59However, he wanted to ask a question to the individuals who would have bullied young Jaden.
01:06Was it worth it?
01:07I don't wish to face that young man.
01:11I don't.
01:14But I would ask him, and I'm sure that this will get to him.
01:17I would ask him, was it worth it?
01:20Bullying, was it worth it?
01:22Is this what you wanted?
01:24Like I said, I'm trying my absolute best not to make this thing personal.
01:28Despite his pain, and the pain he knew that young Jaden's family and friends were enduring,
01:33Pastor Gaj Ram Singh pleaded with the congregation and those listening to ensure that this incident
01:39is not repeated, and that Jaden's death was not just another statistic.
01:45Opposition leader Kamala Prasad Bisesar also spoke at the funeral service and reiterated
01:50calls for bullying to stop.
01:52She noted that despite the pain that persons may be feeling, young Jaden would not want
01:58anyone to seek revenge but justice.
02:02Jay was no bully.
02:04He would never want us to become bullies due to our anger.
02:09It may be difficult for us to accept this, but the best way to honour him is to not out
02:14ourselves become like those persons who bullied and tormented him.
02:20She said that Jaden, who was described as kind, loving, and a wonderful young man, ought
02:26to be a beacon of light to all those who are suffering similarly, and that the country
02:31must ensure that similar situations do not repeat themselves.
02:37And while I have a holy duty to bring comfort, I also have a professional duty and responsibility
02:44to ensure that Jaden and his friends and others, his schoolmates and other school children
02:50in our country, they must not suffer the same daily nightmare as Jaden.
02:56Let Jaden's life be a beacon to us as we go forward in protecting our children.
03:03And while she advocated for forgiveness, she said that justice must also be served.
03:09And this promise I say is not about retribution.
03:12I make it because Jaden's death shows us that bullying is destroying our children.
03:18And bullies must know that they will pay a heavy price for their wickedness.
03:23For their wickedness.
03:26Meanwhile the TTPS is questioning several individuals in relation to Jaden's death,
03:31including parents, teachers, and other witnesses.
03:35This was confirmed on Monday by Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Maisa, who said
03:40that under the Offences Against the Person Act, bullying is considered a criminal offence.
03:47Once the file is completed, it will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
03:52for advice on the way forward.
03:54Alexander Brucewall, TV6 News.
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