Outgoing Guyana High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Persaud has issued an apology to the government and people of India and the Government of Guyana over what he called an “altercation” that took place more than a year ago outside the official residence of the High Commissioner in India.

Persaud found himself in the middle of controversy in India after a university professor and animal rights activist filed a complaint against him after he verbally assaulted her.

During a farwell reception, Persaud explained that the issue stemmed from a stray dog which went into his yard and he ordered one of his worker to stray the dog into another village so that it would not return.

Mr. Persaud said the woman, Professor Sonya Gosh who took care of the dogs in the area went to his official residence and verbally abused him first, before he returned same with expletives.

“Mr. Friends, my colleagues, I did what I do out of anger and I will say this now, I have to, because as a High Commissioner I represent a nation, I represent a people, the President of my nation…what I did as High Commissioner was wrong. I owe an apology for behaving in a manner, not becoming of a diplomat,” Persaud admitted.

“I don’t need a dog in my yard, alright. If you want the dog, take it and put it between your legs”, was among other degrading statements Mr. Persaud was heard telling the woman in a video recording of the incident.

Just after the video became public, more than a year after the incident,  Persaud initially received the backing of the Ministry of foreign Affairs.

However, as public criticism grew, he received a call from the President.

The President claimed that he recalled Persaud, but Persaud has said he was the one who volunteered to leave India in wake of the controversy,

“I was angry, I did not exercise diplomacy… That video surfaced in October 2022 in Guyana and instead of the President taking a (decision) I told him don’t worry about this, I will leave India and that will bring an end to the whole story and my friends, my colleagues that is why I am leaving. But I apologize to the people of India, to the Prime Minister, to my colleagues who are all diplomats, to my government and the President in particular,” Persaud said.

Charandass Persaud was appointed High Commissioner to India after the 2020 elections.  He was a member of the APNU+AFC Government but went against the Government in 2018 and voted against it in a no-confidence motion that triggered elections.

Related posts:

Charrandas Persaud still functioning as High Commissioner in India; President says recall process has started Government recalls Charandass Persaud as High Commissioner to India over cuss-out of woman in India Opposition calls for recall of High Commissioner Charandass Persaud; Walton-Desir roasts Foreign Ministry for “disgusting” response to complaint from woman in India High Commissioner Charrandas Persaud under fire as video surfaces with late night cuss-out in India