2 days Ago By [email protected] (Raffique Shah)
Many people in this rainbow country do not know how lucky we are to have so many citizens of so many ethnicities, religions, cultures and varying mixes who could have given us reasons to fight wars of one kind or another, and destroy the dream of most citizens who want only for us to dwell in harmony, respect each other and share the national pie in an equitable manner. Sure, there are things that are very wrong happening in this exemplary mix. Countries with far fewer tribes, with nationals of the same skin colour, have gone through bloody wars in battles to dominate and/or eradicate each other.
In the so-called advanced First World societies such as the United Kingdom, Protestants (Anglicans and other Christians) for centuries have had to engage in bitter warfare with Catholics. After Henry VIII denounced Catholicism, and appointed his own “Pope” Wolsey, all hell broke loose. Indeed, in Europe where the so-called most culturally advanced human beings dwelled, one could not be excused for forgetting the plunder of each other’s countries and the human carnage that ensued.
In those days, brutality was the game all at the behest of their leaders. Humanity must never forget, or learn if they did not know, of the histories of the Rajahs, Nawabs and other religious and political zealots who drenched the earth in blood. There was hardly a country in the world that escaped that era, hundreds of years, where man killed man with impunity.
Man enslaved man like they would animals. I have taken readers on a gory, bloody trip through some of the most cultured societies in which men were reduced to savages, as they plundered, conquered and battered their fellow men in the name of dominance. We will not venture into the atrocities they committed against women and children.
Nor will we venture into the history lessons of the many world wars that followed. Mao Zedong, the architect of modern China, was quoted as saying: “Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed.” Do not believe him.
Every war is fuelled by the blood of mankind, women-kind and children-kind. One only has to tune into international news stations to see the carnage of the genocide in Gaza, all in the name of the Lord. My intention is not to scare people on the eve of a general election, in this relatively peaceful Trinidad and Tobago.
My intention is to shake some sense into the heads of those who lead this country, some of whom I verily believe will rather see us reduced to blood and sand than to not have power for five years. They will stop at nothing to pit us against each other, to sully the names of their own party members who are disgruntled by the ills in their party. Last election, 2020, was the first in 60-odd years of electoral politics that had been almost calm by any standard that we came close to blows.
It was the first time, I think, that the EBC could not declare results for all 41 constituencies in 48 hours. There were recounts after recounts in five constituencies. Supporters of the UNC almost invaded the commission’s offices in those constituencies.
Luckily, good sense prevailed. I had come to know the young men in the UNC who led the recount after recount that went on for some time. I spoke with a few of them, I warned them how easily a situation that has no such aim could degenerate into chaos with consequences that none of us would want to see.
In my involvement in electoral politics in 1976, I saw how easily leaders on a platform could change the mood of people in the audience if they believe they are being advantaged. I had to use all my Sandhurst leadership skills and more to bring a few threatening situations under control. I am not saying that you do not fight for what you believe in life.
If anyone thinks they can steal an election in Trinidad and get away with it, they better think again. This geezer is ready to battle for what is right, fair and just by all citizens. I know there are many more like me, as I am aware there are many of those who will stop at nothing to destroy whatever peace we enjoy here at home.
As feeble as I may be, I am willing to fight. With less than a month to go now, I caution those in Government and those in Opposition to do what is right for the citizenry. The Elections and Boundaries Commission has a proud tradition of running free and fair elections; let us not tarnish their name, damage our own reputation as a democratic society, all out of greed and irresponsibility.
—Raffique Shah.
