In the midst of an election season, opposition MP Rudranath Indarsingh and Minister of Youth Development Foster Cummings faced off during Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day celebrations in Couva on March 30 over which political party helped the group the most over the years.
Delivering remarks to the hundreds of worshippers gathered for the celebration in his Couva South constituency, Indarsingh described the day as one of reflection, introspection and reflection. He commended those of the faith for their resilience in pushing through years of persecution until the prohibition order banning the practice of the religion from 1917 before it was repealed in 1951.
“In addition to that, you continue to ensure that your faith, your belief, was something that did not diminish in spite of what you had to endure. And today, I am indeed pleased to continue to be a part of a party that ensured that the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community was indeed recognised with a national holiday in 1996 by then prime minister Basdeo Panday.”
“That in itself, gives you a sense of worth, a sense of self-esteem, and in the context of national recognition throughout the length and breadth of our diverse country.”
Indarsingh went on to say that the UNC gifted the community 25 acres of land in Maloney to build a primary school and spiritual park and the UNC-led People’s Partnership opened an early childhood care and education centre on the land in 2014.
“In 2010 (when elected) we saw the importance of early childhood education because we believe that once your children are educated, your history, your religion, your way of life, your customs, beliefs and rituals cannot be lost, and it will be continued to be inculcated in generations to come, because an investment in the youth indeed, is an investment in the future of Trinidad and Tobago.”
He said his greetings were on behalf of UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and “on behalf of a party that has stood in the gap on behalf of the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed, marginalised and the vulnerable in our country.”
While some in the crowd cheered Indarsingh on, it was dwarfed by the thunderous applause for Cummings who is a member of the faith and rallied them behind his songs.
His response to Indarsingh began with giving thanks to the UNC for the contributions to helping the faith as he said: “We are a Baptist people who are very grateful.”
However, he pushed back saying the PNM-led government has been building on this foundation.
[caption id="attachment_1147029" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh, centre, La Horquetta/Talparo MP Foster Cummings, centre, and Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah at the Spiritual Baptists Liberation Day celebrations in Balmain, Couva, on March 30.[/caption]
He said the celebration was being held in Balmain, Couva, at the National Congress of Incorporated Spiritual Baptist of TT’s headquarters, because of the lands and $10 million donated to the organisation. This was given in 20
