Mark Brantley lashes on NRP for mocking non-nationals

Premier Mark Brantley was recently mocked on social media for playing the Hindu Festival "Holi". He took note of mocking done by the opposition Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) and called it "stupidity". Brantley stated that he is unable to understand why the NRP continues to mock and ridicule non-nationals on Nevis.

"I attended the Phagwah celebrations of the Hindu community on Nevis as a mark of respect. I do so every year once I am aware of the location of the celebration. It is a beautiful celebration of colour and our brothers and sisters, especially from Guyana, come out in their numbers. I also attend Diwali and Masharama (a fusion of Nevisian Culturama and Guyanese Mashramani)."

He said being the Premier of Nevis; he welcomes all law-abiding hard, working persons to Nevis who wish to make a positive contribution to the island's development.

"This is no different to the thousands of Nevisians who live in St Maarten, USVI, BVI, Anguilla, US, UK and all across the world. My own father of blessed memory lived in foreign lands for over 40 years and sent monies back to Nevis to support us. ALL Nevisians have a similar shared history," said Brantley.

He added that it is high time that the NRP, which he said has a history in the government of harassing and deporting Guyanese and other non-nationals, stop these attacks.

"What is even more offensive is that those doing the attacking have ALL their close family living in distant lands. This is NOT the Nevis we want, and I condemn these attacks on our Guyanese brothers and sisters unreservedly," added Brantley.

Mark Brantley posted shared photos of himself playing Holi on 18 March. It is a Hindu festival celebrated with dry colours. The photos were used by Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) to mock the Hindu festival and the community as a whole.