The Indian High Commission to T&T has rescheduled an event originally carded for August 1st – African Emancipation Day.
The Open House was geared towards “Indian Community and Diaspora Members”.
There was public backlash, with former PNM Minister Randall Mitchell addressing a letter to Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on the matter.
In that letter, he says African Emancipation Day was not an ordinary national public holiday, but a solemn national observance to mark the liberation of enslaved Africans.
He adds “whether intentional or not, the decision demonstrates a serious lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity toward the host nation.”
The letter also calls on Mr Modi to “Review the conduct and judgement exercised in this matter and determine whether the current High Commissioner continues to enjoy the confidence necessary to represent India effectively in Trinidad and Tobago.
The post on the High Commission’s page was subsequently deleted and replaced with another advising of the rescheduling of the event to August 8th.
Mr Mitchell was critical of this as well, taking issue with the High Commission’s statement that the event was postponed due to August 1st being a public holiday.
The High Commission has also restricted comments for the Facebook post.
