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“All nationals must denounce Sat Maharaj’s hateful rhetoric. The Constitutional Right to freedom of speech is not just a right. It’s also a responsibility.
“We have a duty to speak out against evil, hateful beliefs through free speech of our own that advances our shared value of equality.”
The following Letter to the Editor on Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Secretary General Sat Maharaj’s verbal assault on Tobagonians was submitted by former SDMS Assistant Secretary General and UNC politician Devant Maharaj:
(Copyright Power 102)
As a former Executive Member of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Inc (SDMS) holding the position of Assistant Secretary General (Public Relations), The SDMS Inter-Religious Organization Delegate, and the first Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Radio Jaagriti, I categorically condemn the vulgar statements of the SDMS Secretary General, Sat Maharaj, regarding the people of Tobago.
Mr Maharaj used the broadest of brushes to paint all Tobagonians in the most derogatory fashion is repugnant to all that we hold dear as Trinbagonians. Having fought against social inequality and injustice all my life I cannot now in good conscience remain silent on an issue such as this.
All nationals must denounce Sat Maharaj’s hateful rhetoric. The Constitutional Right to freedom of speech is not just a right. It’s also a responsibility. We have a duty to speak out against evil, hateful beliefs through free speech of our own that advances our shared value of equality. The struggle against hate will only be won through education and public understanding.
It is interesting that the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, THA Chief Secretary, THA Minority Leader, Tobago Forwards Political Leader and Pundit Satyanand Maharaj have been the only national voices condemning the statements of Sat Maharaj. The Inter-Religious Organization, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Unions as well as the many other Hindu Organizations have been reticent on the issue. Where are the other voices?
Sadly, I have spoken with some individuals in Trinidad as well as Tobago of all religious and ethnic persuasions who have expressed support for Mr Maharaj and cannot see the offensive nature of the comments.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
While I like others wish that Mr Sat Maharaj exhibit some contrition for his statement, I expect that all that have condemned these statements will be further attacked by Mr Maharaj on his media house instead.
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Want to share your thoughts with Wired868? Email us at editor@wired868.com.
Please keep your letter between 300 to 600 words and be sure to read it over first for typos and punctuation.
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Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith says, contrary to misleading reports, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service did not conduct any ‘raid’ of media house, Radio Jaagriti.
READ: https://bit.ly/2KRdZch
Wow. This definitely requires a response from MATT.
Wow. The Commissioner is sounding more calm and professional these days.
Vice President Julien gave a weak ass reponse on TV6 .
Devant ah want Sat #
How old is Sat Maharaj? He sounds like someone’s out of date embarrassing uncle. He is out of touch with current laws around hate speech and shouldn’t be excused just because ‘he has always been that way’. The tv station needs to have a delay when he speaks to allow them to cut out speech that is inappropriate or suffer the consequences for breaching the rules. Politicians and police also need to set good examples and stop using derogatory and racist terms.
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) has received a report about ‘heavy-handed and unprofessional conduct’ of officers from Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) while on duty at Radio and TV Jaagriti.
https://wired868.com/2019/04/19/matt-condemns-heavy-handed-and-unprofessional-ttps-conduct-in-raid-on-jaagriti-station/
Lasana Liburd does by high handed the MATT meant the height of the officer’s hand when he and Sat were embracing?
Steups. They are defending wrong. Look at the blasphemous rant Sat went on. So because he didn’t use the f-word or c-word, what he said was radio-worthy?
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/cops-building-sedition-case-over-tobago-rant-6.2.827749.e1f7e09e35
Why we making this creature relevant though
Give Sat full credit..like a good entertainer he has certain audiences eating out of his hand/s all 8 of them..”Rah rah rah rah rah Sat this sat that’..Are we meeting Sat for the first time? Can Sat still shock us? What of Verna Toppin-Alleyne then? And Morgan the late Jobe? Do these charlatans really matter? Don’t we have more important things to do?
3. (1) A seditious intention is an intention—
(a) to bring into hatred or contempt, or to excite
disaffection against Government or the
Constitution as by law established or the House
of Representatives or the Senate or the
administration of justice;
(b) to excite any person to attempt, otherwise than
by lawful means, to procure the alteration of any
matter in the State by law established;
(c) to raise discontent or disaffection amongst
inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago;
(d) to engender or promote—
(i) feelings of ill-will or hostility between one
or more sections of the community on the
one hand and any other section or sections
of the community on the other hand; or
(ii) feelings of ill-will towards, hostility to or
contempt for any class of inhabitants of
Trinidad and Tobago distinguished by race,
colour, religion, profession, calling or
employment; or
https://www.facebook.com/503924376407853/posts/1551599628306984/
Sat is a genius..Draws some again into a non sequitur..a regular diatribe that raises hackles and leaves Sat amused and in the news..The guy is good..Knows how to talk loud, say nothing ..and ruffle the unwise.
Time for all hate speech to stop. It is no longer acceptable.
While I strongly condemn Sat’s statements, I do believe it is a dangerous, albeit very convenient, application (abuse?) of the law.
Media Association of Trinidad & Tobago
United Nations Human Rights
Transparency International
@gary griffith
Sat had been saying this since 2013 after the THA whitewash though? You telling me Devant and Kamla and TATT didn’t know about it? And I know because I listened his program for a few days.
David Steffan Huggins so we all knew. What do you suggest should have been done to stop him?
He should have been condemned and TATT should have acted.
And you hold Devant responsible for that??? M
I am saying their condemnation is convenient. Are you related to Devant?
David Steffan Huggins that’s garbage. You can’t condemn something before it happens. I/we might have had issues with some of Sat’s statements but I never heard him say this.
You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about.. and if you can read, I suggest you go over my initial comment carefully.
Sat eh realise it have ah new”sherriff in town “and gis name is Gary
The former administration, knowing the hateful and divisive racial rhetoric of this individual still bestowed on him the Nation’s highest award as a reward for his behavior over the years.
Deviant apologist to Muslims yet?
Or to mixed race couples?
He has a long history of saying as bad or worse against those not Hindu for which he has never taken responsibility. So forgive me if I take his rhetoric with more than a cup full of salt…
I denounce Sat Maharaj…..period!!!!
I denounce Sat Maharaj’s hateful rhetoric!