MR RAJKESWUR KAILASH PURRYAG, GOSK, GCSK

Hon. Prime Minister!

Madam Speaker, it is with a feeling of great sadness and a sense of personal loss that we learnt of the passing away of Rajkeswur Kailesh Purryag, former President of the Republic. Madam Speaker, words fail me to express my thoughts and feelings on the death of so close a friend of such long years. Although I knew that his health was deteriorating and that he was fading away from us, such was the strength of this tie that the cutting of it feels like the unkindiest wrench and the cruellest shock. It is a reminder that in the midst of life, we are in death. Kailash Purryag was born on 12 December 1947 in Camp Fouquereaux and he had his primary schooling at the Shri Shamboonath Government School and his secondary education at the Mauritius College in Curepipe. He came from a very modest family. Since a very young age, he used to help his father daily in his job as a milkman. He would walk behind him, pushing his bicycle loaded with a traditional milk container in those days, helping in the arduous trip from Camp Fouquereaux to Curepipe to deliver milk. Once in Curepipe, Kailash would rush back to school to pursue his studies. By date of hard work and discipline, he ascended the ladder of success. What stood him apart, Madam Speaker, was his unwavering loyalty. He would be there through all trials and tribulations, come hell or high water. Those who have worked with him, who knew him describe him as a perfect gentleman with a formidable memory. Madam Speaker, Kailash Purryag was a man of exceptional gravitas who personified humility, dignity, and integrity. Former Attorney at law, Kailash Purryag joined the Mauritius Labour Party in 1973, marking the beginning of a long and distinguished political career. His first electoral success came in 1976 when he stood as candidate under the banner of the Independence Party in Constituency No. 15 (La Caverne and Phoenix) and was elected First Member. On 12 June 1979, he was elected Deputy Chairperson of Committees. In April 1980, he was appointed Minister of Social Security, a portfolio which he held until the dissolution of Parliament in June 1982. Despite his defeat in the 1982 general elections, he made a strong return in 1983 and was elected Third Member for Constituency No. 17 (Curepipe and Midlands). In January 1984, Mr Purryag was appointed Minister of Health till December 1985. He was persuaded not to contest the 1987 general elections but he held the post of Secretary General of the Labour party from 1987 to 1991. Mr Purryag has also served as the President of the Labour Party from 1991 to 1996. In 1991, he contested the general elections under the banner of the Alliance Parti travailliste/ PMSD but was not returned. In 1995, he stood as a candidate under the banner of the Alliance Parti travailliste/MMM in Constituency No.15 (La Caverne and Phoenix) and was elected Third Member. He was appointed Minister of Economic Planning, Information and Telecommunications from January 1996 to June 1997. In July 1997, Mr Purryag was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, a portfolio which he occupied till September 2000. On 12 March 1998, Mr Purryag was conferred the title of Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GOSK) for outstanding contribution to the advancement of Mauritius. In 2000, he stood as a candidate for the general elections under the banner of the Alliance Parti travailliste/PMSD in Constituency No. 11 (Vieux Grand Port and Rose Belle) and was not returned. In 2005, Mr Purryag did not contest the general elections, and on 12 July 2005, he was elected Speaker of the National Assembly, a role that he carried out with distinction until July 2012. On 12 March 2009, Mr Purryag was elevated to the rank of Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. On 20 July 2012, he was elected as the fifth President of the Republic of Mauritius by the National Assembly. He resigned from that office on 29 May 2015. In 2013, he was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Government of India, reflecting a strong tie with the Indian diaspora and his commitment to international corporation. Madam Speaker, Kailash Purryag devoted his life to public service. It is an immeasurable loss for the party he served and also for the country. Madam Speaker, may I request you to kindly direct the Clerk to convey the deep condolences of the Assembly to the spouse of Mr Purryag and his family members, and with your permission, Madam Speaker, may I invite the House to observe one minute of silence as a tribute to Mr Purryag. (Hon. Members stood up and observed a minute of silence)

Thank you, hon. Members. Hon. Deputy Prime Minister!

Madam Speaker, je me joins à tout ce que l’honorable Premier ministre vient de dire. Madam Speaker, j’avais beaucoup d’estime et d’amitié pour feu Kailash Purryag. Madam Speaker, c’est un vrai sage qui s’en est allé – un homme d’honneur, de principes, et de courage. Je vous demanderais moi aussi d’adresser à sa famille, à ses proches mes plus sincères condoléances.

Merci. Hon. Leader of the Opposition! The Leader of the Opposition (Mr G. Lesjongard): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Opposition, I associate myself with the tribute paid by Dr. the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Deputy Prime Minister to late Mr Kailash Purryag, former President of the Republic, former Speaker of the National Assembly and former Deputy Prime Minister. I have had the opportunity to know him personally when he was Speaker of the National Assembly. He was a well-respected politician and un digne fils du sol. Il a marqué l’histoire de notre pays et il laisse un héritage politique important pour les générations à venir. May I kindly request you, Madam Speaker, to direct the Clerk of the National Assembly to convey our deep condolences to the bereaved family. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members, I associate myself with the tribute paid to the memory of Mr Rajkeswur Kailesh Purryag, who is also a former Speaker of the National Assembly, by Dr. the hon. Prime Minister, the hon. Deputy Prime Minister, and the hon. Leader of the Opposition. I have known Kailash Purryag since July 1974 when I started practicing at the Bar and he was already an Attorney. We had many common friends. We kept very good relations throughout the years despite being on opposing sides in the National Assembly sometimes. I direct the Clerk to convey the deep condolences of the Assembly to the bereaved family. Thank you. POINT OF ORDER – UNPARLIAMENTARY WORD

Madam Speaker, I would like to raise a point of order if you will allow me.

Yes.

. Under section 42 of our Standing Orders to the effect that on Friday 20 June 2025, the hon. Deputy Prime Minister, hon. Paul Bérenger made unprovoked remarks to my address by calling me a “cochon” which is both insulting and offensive. I would, therefore, request that the hon. Deputy Prime Minister be asked to apologise to the House and to withdraw his remarks.

Hon. Member, I was not expecting you to raise this at this point, but the hon. Deputy Prime Minister has already talked to me and expressed his desire to withdraw these words. Hon. Deputy Prime Minister!

As you just said, I withdraw the word “cochon” addressed to the hon. Member, but I do not agree at all that it was unprovoked.

(Interruptions)

We cannot go on like this. This is a solemn moment. He has withdrawn.

(Interruptions)

He has withdrawn. Yes, hon. Leader of the Opposition!

Yes, before I put my PNQ, Madam Speaker, in the same vein, I also raised a point of order, and I am waiting for a reply from the Chair, Madam Speaker.

Yes. Of course, I am following even if I am not here! I have spoken to the Deputy Speaker. He will deal with this after lunch. You were supposed to write to me, but I did not get anything. He will deal with this issue because, I think, he is looking at the proceedings of that day. So, let him deal with this when he comes after lunch. Your PNQ, please!