Q: Mr Khan, Your law chambers over the years have been celebrating different ethnic holidays, like Emancipation, Divaliand Eid but I was told that you do not celebrate "Indian Arrival Day," why this discrimination?
A: My forefathers arrived in this country into a situation where they were held in "coolie bondage" in conditions similar to the African slaves. Psychologically, I and many other Indo-Trinidadians cannot celebrate the atrocities suffered by our forefathers. What we celebrate is the abolition of the Indentureship system for East Indians in 1917-not their arrival into slavery.
Wait a minute, wait a minute I have heard it said that if the East Indians did not come to Trinidad many of their off-springs who are lawyers, doctors, teachers and successful businessmen in this country would have remained in the same situation in life in India as their forefathers.
What I would say, that in spite of the fact that our forefathers have been exploited, brutalised, discriminated against and humiliated in various countries around the world, some of us have done exceedingly well. But right here in Trinidad, and wherever the East Indian Diaspora exists, there are others living in abject poverty and depravity. Yes, we have an EastIndian woman Prime Minister in T&T but that does not mean that we should be happy that our forefathers came into slavery in this country. But you know something, we are here and we are here to stay.
You seem to be contradicting yourself on the issue of celebration of Indian Arrival Day?
As long as Indo-Trinidadians see it necessary to celebrate "Indian Arrival Day", it is an open admission that we have not yet accepted the fact that we are truly Trinidadians. In other words, metaphorically speaking, we are yet to arrive in this country. It is my sincere desire that all of us-white, black, brown, yellow and mixed-all ethnic groups can one day celebrate one "Arrival Day".
Mr Khan, your law chambers are housed in a very posh building on a high priced piece of real estate, you cannot deny the fact that as an Indo-Trinidadian this country has treated you very well.
I have done reasonably well due to my ability, merit, integrity and hard work. Yes, this country has treated me well and I have contributed to the development of this country.
Oh, so now you are admitting, though indirectly, that your forefathers by coming to this country caused you and many other Indo-Trinidadians to be in a position of wealth and influence.
Look upon me and you would admire my Nehru suit. You know both a magistrate and a high court judge ruled that this sophisticated and elegant apparel is not befitting the dignity of the magistrate court. Treat me well? But that is another battle.
Q: But why don't you just wear a jacket and tie in the magistrates' courts and reserve the Nehru suit for formal occasions.
My explanation resides in what I am going to read to you. I quote: "....the coolies are filthy in their habits, and have little care in regard to clothing, the men have merely a piece of white cloth passed round their loins and between their legs...the women wear a short petticoat and a small bodice...they rubbed down their bodies and heads profusely with coconut oil...they generally go about almost naked and show no disposition to abandon this habit... the half-naked, deeply degraded and herb-eating coolie saves the greater part of his wages and the other labourers cannot." [Origins of Racial Ideology in Trinidad by Dennison Moore Pages 165, 180).
But that was written over 150 years ago. The East Indians in this country have adopted the European wear.
Yes, our prime minister I dare say is one of the better dressed women in the entire Caribbean. But on appropriate occasions she adorns herself with beautiful saris, shalwars and ghagras. She is aware of the power and significance of mode of dress.
So you can easily wear a jacket and tie to court and on the appropriate occasions wear the Nehru suit?
And that's the problem. After arriving in this country over 166 years ago the status quo insists that an Indo-Trinidadian lawyer must wear a jacket and tie to be accepted in the magistrates' courts.
The Nehru suit is a modern apparel and it is superior to the jacket and tie.
And it is appropriate for the magistrates' court.
