The PM criticized Blue Waters’ Divali Nagar sponsorship and defended state cuts. The Hadeeds’ lawyer denied her allegation.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has criticized Blue Waters’ new Diamond sponsorship of this year’s Divali Nagar, calling it ironic in light of what she alleged about the company’s owners. She also defended the withdrawal of State sponsorship from the event. A lawyer for the owners, Dominic and Genevieve Hadeed, rejected her allegation.
In response to questions from Guardian Media on Friday, Persad-Bissessar said she found the irony of the sponsorship hilarious. She alleged that the Hadeeds privately refer to East Indians using a derogatory racial slur while publicly funding one of the country’s largest Indian cultural and religious celebrations. She also claimed National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) president Surujdeo Mangaroo had been duped into hosting what she called a public relations exercise to announce the sponsorship. She wished the organizers a wonderful event. The Guardian reported that the slur was allegedly used by Genevieve Hadeed’s aunt, Star Sabga, in an intercepted communication that led to detentions during the recent State of Emergency.
Faris Al-Rawi, SC, one of the attorneys for the Hadeeds, said he was mindful of ongoing litigation involving the couple and would confine his response to the fact that the Hadeeds have never used the phrase the Prime Minister is said to have attributed to them. He said Blue Waters has sponsored Divali Nagar for many years and was pleased to provide more support this year as requested by the NCIC. He said the company remains committed to supporting charitable, philanthropic, sporting and religious organizations.
The NCIC announced on Friday that Blue Waters had become Diamond Sponsor, the highest level of sponsorship, for the event’s 40th anniversary. The value was not disclosed, but Guardian Media understands it is worth $250,000. The announcement came after several State-linked and corporate sponsors withdrew. They include bmobile, First Citizens Bank, which supported the event for 18 consecutive years, and National Flour Mills. The National Lotteries Control Board and Caribbean Airlines are also no longer participating. Mangaroo has estimated the cost of staging the nine-night event at about $5 million. The NCIC received $500,000 from the Government for last year’s celebrations.
Persad-Bissessar defended the State’s withdrawal, saying taxpayer money should pay workers’ wages, buy medicines and fund pensions, not sponsor private events and groups while workers wait for salary increases and back pay. She said State companies had earlier cut funding for steelbands, fetes, tassa and Carnival events, and for Baptist Day, Independence and Emancipation observances, so it was only right that Divali events be treated the same way. Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has said State resources could provide more value if redirected to smaller community Divali celebrations. The Prime Minister has not confirmed that she will attend Divali Nagar, which runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7 in Chaguanas. She cited a hectic schedule, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua. Mangaroo has said the event will go ahead without an entrance fee.