Georgetown, Guyana.
October 25, 2022
For immediate release to all media houses.
PRESS RELEASE
Recall Charrandas Persaud
A short video has gone viral. In the video a male individual is heard ranting in a most vulgar display of ignorance and arrogance against a most mild-mannered woman. It is believed that the male in the video may be Guyana’s High Commissioner to India Charrandas Persaud.
Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement confirming that the incident took place at the High Commissioner’s residence in India.
India has been a close ally and friend to Guyana even prior to our independence in 1966. Since then India has rendered assistance to our development in various forms ranging from scholarships to their universities, Indian medical professionals who have served in this country, cultural exchanges and financial packages favourable to Guyana are but of the assistance provided to Guyana over the years.
The Alliance For Change disassociates itself from this individual who holds office as representative of our nation and urges his recall. This would save us a diplomatic embarrassment and forcing a friendly and ally nation to label the diplomat, “persona non grata”.
There is also circulating on social media a report alleging criminal conduct perpetrated by Charrandas Persaud. In the social media post which is believed to be based on a police report, a woman accuses the diplomat of sexual harassment and outraging and insulting her modesty. In the seeming complaint the diplomat is named and address given. The complainant is said to be in her 60s and an animal rights activists who feeds over 200 stray dogs daily including a dog owned by the diplomat. The abuse is said to have occurred on one of her good Samaritan daily rounds.
The report provides details of how the ‘Sahab’ (Diplomat) in a drunken state, in his underwear and in the presence of other persons, abused the elderly woman using foul, derogatory language unbecoming of any person mush less someone holding diplomatic office.
While noting the Vienna Convention to which both Guyana and India are signatories, the complaint notes that the behaviour displayed by the diplomat is not immune from prosecution under various sections of India’s Penal Code and carries terms of imprisonment and/or fine.
According to the statement from Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the matter was investigated, and a report sent to the Guyana High Commission.
While most of our diplomats serve with distinction, there are a few political appointees who bring nothing but disgrace to our country. Charrandas Persaud should be recalled immediately on grounds of conduct unbecoming of an Ambassador and an apology issued to the Government and people of India.
END
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