GUYANA | Charrandass Persaud Recalled as High Commissioner to India over gross disrespect to a woman in India

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, October 26, 2022 - Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Persaud has been recalled. His recall comes in the wake of  a video showing him verbally abusing an Indian Professor who is also an animal rights activist when she visited his official residence in India to enquire about a dog that she usually feeds.

In an announcement this morning, President Ali said he had a chance to review the video recording of the incident overnight and immediately contacted High Commissioner Charrandass Persaud.

He said although Persaud claimed that the video did not capture all that took place and although he also said he had been cleared of any wrongdoing, a decision was made for him to return home from his diplomatic post.

“I explained to Mr. Charrandass that representatives of our country must on every occasion conduct themselves in the highest order and regard. Mr. Charrandass then communicated to me that this matter was dealt with by the relevant agencies and authorities in India and that there was no evidence of any misconduct and that he was cleared of any accusation of sexual harassment. He also shared with me a letter that substantiated this statement. Notwithstanding all of this, Mr. Charrandass agreed with me that in keeping with the best interest of Guyana and the image of Guyana, that he would return home from his posting in India”, President Ali said. 

Dr Ali said Mr Persaud, during a conversation with him, stated that the incident occurred in August 2021 and that the video being circulated is “not a full reflection of what took place.”

Mr Persaud reportedly told the President that an investigation cleared him of any misconduct and accusation of sexual harassment. The President said Mr Persaud, an Attorney-at-Law, “has agreed that he takes full responsibility for his action and will return home from this posting.”

Dr Ali indicated that Guyana could soon appoint a new High Commissioner to India with which Guyana shares a healthy historical, cultural, business and diplomatic relationship. “We are, therefore, going to take all official steps and measures to ensure a smooth transition and to continue to strengthen our work with India and to work on advancing the cause of Guyana in every category,” the President added.

Mr Persaud was instrumental in the passage of a no-confidence motion against the then governing A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change , and after the People’s Progressive Party was voted into office in March 2020 he was hurriedly  dispatched to India as Guyana’s High Commissioner.

The opposition coalition on Tuesday called on the Guyana government to recall Mr Persaud who is  a former executive member of the AFC before he defected to the PPP in  crossing the floor of the House by his no-confidence vote.

Opposition spokesperson on Foreign Relations, Amanza Walton-Desir in a press statement said Persaud’s conduct was outrageous and disgusting and went against several principles connected to Guyana’s treaty obligations as it relates to the treatment of women, diplomatic etiquette and of plain general decency.

In the embarrassing video recording that captured part of the confrontation between the High Commissioner and the woman, High Commissioner Persaud was caught hurling several profanities at the woman as she sought answers about a homeless dog that she fed being removed from the area outside his official residence.

“I don’t need a dog in my yard, alright. If you want the dog, take it and put it between your legs”, Persaud told the University Professor before firing off several expletives at her.

“You probably want the dog to F&%k you, that is what you want. And I don’t care. I don’t care who you are…F&%k you!!!”, he shouted at the woman before walking away and later returning to warn another person about being recorded.

The woman later filed a Police complaint