Moses Bhagwan: Enter the Political Kingdom

Description

‘This movingly written memoir offers the perspective of a freely dissenting
dissonant voice over six decades of involvement in radical politics across
some of the most politically momentous events in Guyanese history.’

Clem Seecheran, Professor Emeritus,
London Metropolitan University

‘Teacher, politician, lawyer, and community activist, Moses Bhagwan was one of the fathers of the Independence movement in Guyana. His formation of the Indian Political Revolutionary Associates (IPRA) and his association with the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA) represented his efforts to bring about authentic multiracial unity in Guyana. Moses Bhagwan is a kind and caring father, and a proud Guyanese. I highly recommend Enter the Political Kingdom to all Guyanese and Caribbean people.’

Peter Jailall, Teacher, Poet, and Community Worker

Moses Bhagwan’s Enter the Political Kingdom is a political autobiography that intertwines the author’s impeccably captured recollections with the broader historical struggles of Guyana across the twentieth century. Spanning nearly nine decades, the book traces Bhagwan’s journey from his rural upbringing as the descendant of indentured labourers to his emergence as a major figure in Guyanese political life.

At its core, this book captures the evolution of a deeply committed activist whose life’s work was shaped by colonial oppression, racial division, the question for national independence and role in the creation of a multiethnic national ethos. Bhagwan’s involvement with key political organisations including the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), and later, the Indian Political Revolutionary Associates, and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), offers readers an insider view of the ideological conflicts, grassroots groundings and mobilisation, and turbulent cultural and political struggles that defined the Guyanese political landscape. His meticulously detailed account brings to life decisive moments, such as the original split in the PPP, the rise of authoritarian rule, the assassination of Walter Rodney, offering rich insights into the challenges of forging unity in a deeply divided society.

Bhagwan’s autobiography seamlessly blends the political with the personal, foregrounding the role of family, particularly his enduring partnership with his spouse Samia, whose constancy anchors his story through political and social hardship, exile, and loss. The book concurrently highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women, community networks, and care work in sustaining political movements and social transformation.

Rich in historical detail yet deeply reflective, Enter the Political Kingdom is both witness and critical social history. It challenges conventional narratives of politics by emphasising human relationships, ethical responsibilities, and grassroots engagements. Bhagwan’s story offers a compelling meditation on leadership, commitment, principle, and the ongoing struggle to build a more just and unified Guyana.