Teenaged model Ravina Rampersad yesterday defended the actions of herself and Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley in the face of a raging social media firestorm which developed over photos of them wining in a band during Carnival in San Fernando on Tuesday. She said they were merely participating in the Carnival festivities like everyone else and it was “Just a little wine.”
Rampersad, 17, of Marabella, and Rowley were photographed wining together along the city’s streets in Ivan Kalicharan's band Bazodee. They were among revellers in the section Landslide. However, the photos caused a firestorm on Facebook after they were posted when it was discovered Rampersad was a teen. While some people defended it others did not, saying it unbecoming of Rowley.
Rampersad also pulled down her Facebook page yesterday after she received scores of abusive and negative comments on the photos. In the face of those comments, however, Rampersad eventually took to her Twitter account to dismiss the criticisms against Rowley and herself, saying, “Carnival was amazing despite the controversy taking place. But never the less I had a great time.” In another tweet, Rampersad poked fun at the issue, saying “Is just a wine, Just a little wine.”
The photos, taken by photojournalist Trevor Watson, were shared, liked and commented on thousands of times on Facebook over the course of the day. Controversial discussions on race relations were also prevalent, as some users were accused of having an issue with the photos because Rampersad is of East Indian descent. Critics of Rowley called on him to explain why as an aspiring prime minister, he would allow himself to be seen with a woman other than his wife Sharon.
Others slammed the media for ignoring Rowley’s behaviour, while highlighting that of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Rowley was also accused of damaging his reputation ahead of the upcoming general elections, while his supporters said he had done nothing wrong. Efforts yesterday to reach Rampersad for a direct comment were unsuccessful. Also contacted yesterday, Rowley said he had no comment on the matter.
Watson, who has been reproached for the post, defended his right to take the photograph. “I am a photojournalist and I was only doing my job,” he told the T&T Guardian yesterday.
He denied he was threatened for posting the photo, but on one of his Facebook posts he wrote, “They go vex with me but say what....I am a photojournalist. When I capture your images in the public domain and they appear on Facebook and the Express newspaper please do not inbox me asking how I can sleep and try to make me a demon...I can assure you I sleep very well...so next time you want to show off your bad behaviour before the print and electronic media think twice.”
All part of Carnival
People’s National Movement (PNM) deputy leader Rohan Sinanan says it is stupid to make an issue of pictures of party leader Dr Keith Rowley wining on a young lady in San Fernando on Carnival Tuesday. Sinanan was with Rowley in the Ivan Kallicharan band Bazodee where the PNM leader, in shorts, sleeveless tank top and decorative “pretty mas” accessories, was photographed wining on the young masquerader in the section Landslide.
The photos caused a firestorm after several photos circulated on social media website Facebook yesterday of Rowley winning on the young lady - alleged to be a young model - who wore an extremely revealing costume from the band. There were mixed comments about the scenario on Facebook and other sites about it, but Rowley, the young woman and the photographer who took the photos were also on the end of negative attacks.
Sinanan however dismissed any negative sentiment, saying it was stupid to try to make an issue of the matter since it was Carnival time. He said he had not seen the pictures and was only hearing about them. He said Rowley received a warm welcome in San Fernando and many people of all ages had come up to him while he was in the band, treating him like a celebrity and wanting to take pictures with him.
Various other PNMites also defended Rowley, noting that it was Carnival, a festive time and he has traditionally been a “mas player.” In previous years, Rowley has traditionally worn full sailor costume and played mas in Port-of-Spain with a medium-sized band called Just Friends.
Bandleader: They broke no law
San Fernando bandleader Ivan Kalicharan said yesterday he sees nothing wrong with a young woman in his band wining on a masquerader who happens to be Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. “That is the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I don’t see anything wrong with anybody dancing with anybody. How can you stop that?” the veteran masman asked in relation the raging controversy on the photo of the duo who both played in his band Bazodee.
He said it was not the first time a celebrity or prominent person had played in his band and he did not understand what all the fuss was about. “Two years ago President Maxwell Richards played in my band, and you think people came and shake his hands. No they dance and wine on him. But those pictures were not taken and posted.”
Kalicharan said he was not privy to who Rowley danced with as Landslide, the section in which the two played, was at the back of the band. He offered, “Mr Rowley is a target. Any politician playing mas is a target or any prominent person playing mas is a target for the media to sell their papers so they will target anybody.” - With reporting by Gail Alexander and Yvonne Webb