Trinis does always overdo it. We cyah say ‘oh my’ we hadda say ‘OH GAAD OYE!’, we cyah go a free drinks party without bussin’ de bar, and when we get a holiday on a Thursday YUH KNOW we hadda take the Friday off too (just wait and see all who call in ‘sick’ after Divali this week).

This innate overreaction manifests itself in all aspects of our lives, including acts of protest. Case in point, the woman who camp outside HDC head office because she was tired waiting on a house. Never prone to subtle objection, if a Trini is disgruntled, they will be seen AND heard.

But gone are the days when a typical strike consisted of a small group of protesters with crudely drawn placards, marching back and forth while chanting in unison ‘We Want We Money Right Now!’, ‘We Not Taking That’ or some equally grievant refrain. There’s a new approach to reproach in town – the hunger strike.

Hunger strikes are by no means a novelty, dating back to the early 20th century in the days of Gandhi who is perhaps the poster child for this form of passive resistance. Fast-forward over a hundred years later and Wayne Kublalsingh, coincidentally compared to Gandhi by masman Peter Minshall, has taken the road of starvation and inspired others to do so. At our last count, there were not one, not two but three parties banning their belly for a cause. If JT brought sexy back, then Kubs brought hungry back.

For those of you who can’t keep up, doh worry, SCORCH have yuh back as usual. Here’s the rundown on the fasting and the furious.

Wayne Kublalsingh

Former University lecturer and die-hard environmentalist, Wayne Kublalsingh is the consummate idealist and no stranger to a hungry belly. This is his second hunger strike but for the same cause as the first, i.e., the construction of the proposed highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin. Kublalsingh does not oppose the highway in principle, but argues that the current route poses an ecological threat to the Oropouche Lagoon. Kublalsingh ended his first hunger strike when the government agreed to discuss the potential environmental impact as per the James Armstrong report. However, the government did not make good on their promise. Despite findings in the Armstrong report that raised questions over EMA approval and potential flooding along the Debe to Mon Desir portion, there was no further discussion between the government and the Highway Re-route Movement and construction continued as planned. This prompted Kublalsingh to embark on a second hunger strike, which is going into its fifth week. While seen in an almost saint-like light by his followers and supporters, others have dismissed Kublalsingh as an impractical extremist. The legitimacy of his hunger strike has also been questioned, with many accusing him of eating/drinking when he goes home at the end of each day. Let’s also not forget Jack Warner’s infamous claim that he saw him eating doubles out of the back of a van during his first hunger strike.

Ravi Maharaj

Much like the saying ‘fight fire with fire’ goes, the best way to fight a hunger strike is with a hunger strike. At least, that’s what Ravi Maharaj thinks. Maharaj shot into the spotlight after giving Kublalsingh a two-day ultimatum from the time of warning to end his hunger strike, or else he would stage one of his own. Initially reported as an advisor to the UWI Vice-Chancellor, UWI issued a statement denying that Maharaj was in their employ and distanced the University from him and the whole issue altogether. A subsequent report surfaced confirming Maharaj was actually a technician by trade and had no affiliation with UWI. Unsurprising to many, Maharaj’s hunger strike proved to be as sound as his resumé, and after just five days of setting up camp a stone’s throw away from Kublalsingh outside the PM’s office, he fainted and had to call it quits. Like dem gas pains is not for everybody.

Project 40

The last hunger party is a newly formed NGO of sorts championed by a group of socially conscious young people. These famished few support Kublalsingh, but not just as it relates to the issue of the highway re-routing; their goal is to encourage greater transparency and accountability by the government, especially as it pertains to sustainable development. They have promised to fast for 40 days (hence the name) and are encouraging members of the public to join them in support of their cause. (Check out their Facebook page if you’re interested).

So the next time you licking down three with everything slight, just know it have a good few people out there who eh see ah bara in days or even weeks. Whether these food deprived few end up achieving anything more than a belly gripe remains left to be seen, but with construction on the highway going full steam ahead, it’s safe to say at least somebody eating ah food already.