Protect children over silence and superstition

October 26, 20261 min read

To the Editor,

When I was five, my mother abandoned my brother and me on a roadway in Berbice. I then endured more than a decade of abuse at the hands of my father and stepmother. Fifty years on, I still know the terror it leaves behind, and how well a child learns to suffer in silence. That is why the killing of young Orlando Jaikarran^[1], allegedly at the hands of his own father amid reports of religious influence^[2], has shaken me so deeply.

The person a child trusts most to protect him was reportedly drawn into beliefs that could justify violence as something sacred. Throughout history, fanaticism has worn the robes of piety, twisting faith into an instrument of harm. When unquestioning obedience replaces conscience and critical thought, even the sacred can become a weapon.

Calls for retribution are understandable. But punishment alone addresses the crime, not the conditions that allow such horrors to take root. We pride ourselves on economic growth and modernization, yet a society’s true measure is not its GDP but how it protects its most defenseless.

Here in New York, home to one of the largest Guyanese communities outside Guyana, we cannot treat this as a distant tragedy. Our community carries the same stories, the same silences, and the same responsibility.

Three steps would honor Orlando’s memory. First, strengthen and enforce child-protection reporting requirements so that neighbors, teachers, and religious leaders know how to report suspected abuse, and those entrusted with children have a clear duty to act. Second, teach children to recognize abuse, understand their rights, and speak up without fear. Third, call upon our temples, churches, and mosques, both here and in Guyana, to move beyond condemnation of ritual violence toward sustained education, accountability, and the affirmation that true faith elevates human dignity rather than degrading it.

Our children are the true stewards and legacy of Guyana. Until we choose their safety over silence and superstition, their innocence will remain hostage to both.

Yours sincerely,
Jason Agresti
Author of Forged by Fire
A Proud Berbician, Flushing, New York

References

Killing of 6-year-old Orlando Jaikarran: Human Services Minister condemns use of religion, superstition in child abuse

guyanatimesgy.com, Oct 23, 2026

Father accused of killing infant son on religious advice sparks national outrage

guyananews.gy, Oct 25, 2026

infant son ... Father accused of killing infant son on religious advice sparks national outrage By Guyana News Desk · Published October 25, 2026 · Updated October 25, 2026 The brutal death of infant Orlando Jaikarran at the hands of his own father has sent shockwaves across Guyana, prompting widespread public horror and anger. Reports indicate the father removed the child from his bed before carrying out the killing, apparently acting on advice from a religious leader. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy quickly became public, transforming initial grief into calls for stronger measures against such violence. The incident has intensified existing societal frustration with recent similar tragedies, leading many citizens to demand the reintroduction of hanging as a form of capital punishment in the country. Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud publicly condemned the misuse of religion or superstition to justify harm against others, describing such thinking as stemming from a deeply flawed mindset. This position has been widely echoed by others who view the act as an example of how religious pretexts can enable extreme cruelty. The letter writer references a biblical passage from Jeremiah 17:9 that describes the human heart as inherently deceitful and wicked, using it to illustrate what he sees as an incurable sickness in some individuals who commit atrocities while claiming religious justification. Historical examples are cited to show how religion and politics have been twisted throughout time to excuse mass violence, including the Holocaust carried out under claims of racial purity. The writer argues for consistent judgment whether the perpetrator is an ordinary citizen or someone in a position of political power. ... The case has highlighted ongoing national conversations about violence, the role of belief systems in criminal acts, and the effectiveness of Guyana's justice system in addressing such profound failures of human conduct. Public discourse continues to grapple with preventing future incidents while ensuring accountability. ... As investigations proceed, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities within families and communities, and the need for greater safeguards against harmful interpretations of faith that endanger the most innocent. ... This incident reflects broader societal concerns in Guyana about violence against children and the potential misuse of religious beliefs to justify harm. It has prompted discussion on the role of government ministries in addressing superstition-driven atrocities.

Source

Protect children over silence and superstition in Guyana Times, October 26, 2026