00:00Senior government MPs are closing ranks behind Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besasa
00:05following the political fallout from Saturday's Emancipation Day celebrations.
00:09Dr. Lakram Bodo, MP for Urupooch West, rejected attempts by sections of the media
00:15and political commentators to misrepresent what transpired at the Emancipation Village on Saturday
00:21by claiming that government ministers walked out in protest.
00:25He said, quote, let me state categorically, no minister walked out of the event.
00:32I was present and witnessed the proceedings firsthand.
00:35Any report suggesting otherwise is false, misleading and should be corrected immediately.
00:40The public deserves factual reporting, not sensationalism designed to manufacture controversy where none exists, end quote.
00:48In separate statements, Urupooch East MP Dr. Rudal Munilal, Karani East MP Dr. Rishad Sitcharan
00:55and Barataria San Juan MP Saddam Hussein accused the People's National Movement of using Emancipation Day to sow racial division.
01:04Dr. Munilal condemned what he described as the disgraceful and cruel treatment of Minister of Culture and Community Development,
01:12Michelle Benjamin, and Professor Selwyn Kudjo, who were heckled without recourse during the celebrations.
01:18Dr. Munilal wrote to social media saying, quote,
01:22Emancipation Day is meant to unite all Trinbegonians.
01:26Instead, the PNM and its supporters used the occasion as a political platform to spread hatred, division and racism, end
01:33quote.
01:34Dr. Munilal said both Benjamin and Professor Kudjo deserved respect for their contributions to Trinidad and Tobago,
01:41adding that attempts to divide Afro- and Indo-Trinbegonians must be rejected.
01:47Karani East MP Dr. Rishad Sitcharan echoed those sentiments,
01:52saying the National Observant should never become a platform for political hostility or racial division.
01:58Sitcharan said, quote,
01:59The actions witnessed during the celebrations sought to undermine the spirit of unity and mutual respect that Emancipation Day represents.
02:08Such behavior has no place in our society, end quote.
02:12Sitcharan also reaffirmed his support for Minister Michelle Benjamin and Professor Kudjo,
02:17calling on citizens to build bridges instead of barriers.
02:21Meanwhile, Barataria San Juan MP Saddam Hussein accused the opposition of remaining silent
02:26after what he described as racist attacks on the Indo-Trinidadian community in recent days.
02:32He questioned why senior PNM officials had not condemned comments made by individuals he said targeted East Indians,
02:41saying, quote,
02:42The silence remains deafening throughout our country.
02:45It gives the undeniable impression that through the PNM silence,
02:49they have supported the vile and despicable racist comments, end quote.
02:53Hussein also accused the opposition of attempting to manipulate supporters to create division
02:59and pointed to previous statements by PNM members,
03:02which he said contributed to racial discord.
03:06Urvashi Tuwari, Ruknarein, TV6 News.
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