Dear Editor,
By questioning Dr Bheri Ramsaran, the Minister of Health, on his record, Ms Nageer was doing what all of us should be doing. In an election a voter is supposed to examine a government’s record. If you think the record is good, you vote for the government. If you think the record is not good enough you vote for somebody else. Voting is supposed to be based on reason not fear. Ministers have an obligation to answer questions from citizens however unwelcome those might be.
Dr Ramsaran’s abusive, bullying and vulgar responses to Ms Nageer are unacceptable at every level. He says he was “provoked into anger.” Really? Isn’t that exactly the problem? Isn’t that the excuse men always give when they are too intellectually feeble and too emotionally immature to control themselves? No, Ms Nageer did not provoke Dr Ramsaran.
He is an adult. He is responsible for his behaviour.
Dr Ramsaran’s record as Minister of Health is no longer the issue. His behaviour to Ms Nageer is an insult to every voter in Guyana. Dr Ramsaran’s threat to have “his women” strip Ms Nageer degrades every woman who is a member of the PPP/C, especially those who have been defenders of women’s dignity.
Dr Ramsaran’s behaviour was an abuse of his power and position as a Minister. He should be removed immediately. He is unfit to be a Member of Parliament and the PPP/C should immediately scratch his name from their list of possible MPs for the next Parliament.
Yours faithfully,
Melinda Janki
