Ravi Dev burst on to the scene in the 80's. He came to fame through a series of well written letters in the press, decrying the PNC and championing 'Indian Rights'. Many admired his intellectual acumen, his knowledge and analytical ability. Some felt he was too divisive and extreme on matters pertaining to race. He defended himself from those charges and justified his stance.
He founded ROAR as an agitating body and it evolved into a political entity. He criticized the PPP for not doing enough for Indian Guyanese and expounded of what he called the Indian Security Dilemma. This crossing of swords with the historic party of Indians led to some unfortunate incidents; notably a rowdy demonstration outside his home, during which an Indian woman lifted her dress and 'mooned' Mr Dev.
We can only speculate what effect this trauma had on him. He later moderated his position somewhat and stressed his concept of a Federal structure which he argued would reduce ethnic friction and result in a fairer distribution of power. He seldom goes anti-black head on these days. A man can sincerely have a change of heart and so change his position. Is that what happened to Mr Dev?
He shows very little inclination (none at all actually) to criticize the PPP as a party or its individual members. So much so that when one of his former comrades Malcolm Harripaul asked (in print) why Ravi does not deconstruct the PPP (or words to that effect) Ravi simply, and blandly, replied "to what end?"
To what end Mr Dev? Come on! To every end! After all, it has been your position that the ideology and leadership of the PPP is not reflective of the history and values of the Indian masses. Is that not so? Malcolm Harripaul lamented "What is wrong with Hindu politicians?"
Anyway, what do our GNI members think of MR Dev today? What is YOUR assessment of Ravi Dev?
