An apology from former Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) board member Jaishima Leladharsingh has sparked further outrage on the social media site Facebook, as many have accused him of being a hypocrite. However, the man to whom Leladharsingh directed his attack, Anthony McLeod, is saying he has accepted the apology. On his Facebook page late Tuesday, Leladharsingh wrote: “I sincerely apologise to the particular individual for making a statement that was inappropriate and uncalled for. I did it in anger when he told me that I will be dead.
“At that point I took it as a threat. It may not have been but I acted in rage. I am sorry for the pain and sorrow that I caused others. I want you all to know that I am truly sorry and I have resigned from the CDA board of directors effective immediately.”
Leladharsingh’s offending statements to McLeod derived from a conversation generated by former prime minister and former United National Congress (UNC) chairman Basdeo Panday, on his Facebook post of April 12, 2014, regarding Panday’s previous comments to the media on the death of former president and prime minister ANR Robinson. Leladharsingh had remarked in the comments section that he was glad Robinson was gone forever.
This sparked a comment from McLeod to Leladharsingh that all must go forever at some point and the latter immediately embarked on a racist rant against McLeod. But after the conversation was reposted by Senator Clarence Rambharat recently, it was brought to the attention of Planning Minister Bhoe Tewarie, who on Tuesday asked Leladharsingh to step down. Speaking to CNC3 yesterday, however, McLeod said everyone was entitled to make a mistake.
“I haven’t seen the apology as yet, right, but I mean he apologised and I accept it. No hard feelings on my behalf.” He confirmed that the conversation was sparked by an insensitive comment Leladharsingh had made on the passing of Robinson but noted that he kept his composure and refused to stoop to Leladharsingh’s level after the racist attack began.
McLeod said Leladharsingh may have believed he was of African descent because of his name but noted he was mixed. With the election season at hand, he called on citizens not to allow politicians to create racial tension throughout the country. “At the end of the day we are all humans. We are entitled to mistakes but we should not move in that negative direction,” he added.
Facebook backlash
However, many Facebook users questioned whether Leladharsingh’s apology was genuine saying: “Too little, too late.” “Could anyone imagine the conversation when he and his pals get together?” one person asked. Another said: “I once respected this man... now I am just disgusted by even the thought of him.” When checked yesterday afternoon Leladharsingh’s Facebook “wall” was either cleared of the contents of or there was restricted viewing access as the apology and all the comments linked to the issue were not shown.
Approached for comment on Leladharsingh’s apology at the launch of the National Gas Company Bocas Literary Festival yesterday, Tewarie said: “I have nothing more to say on the matter. I prefer not to. I know I did the right thing.” Addressing the issue at an event in Caroni yesterday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she was happy Tewarie had fired him. She said the People’s Partnership had proven to be the most diverse Government and would not promote someone with such views that were not in the interest of nation building.