Who Is Vikash Ramkissoon? Guyana MP in Spotlight

A debate in Guyana’s Parliament recently drew international attention after Member of Parliament Vikash Ramkissoon responded in fluent Hindi to a remark questioning his knowledge of the language.

The exchange reportedly began when an opposition lawmaker suggested that Ramkissoon did not understand Hindi. Seeking the Speaker’s permission, Ramkissoon said he would reply in Hindi to address the comment directly.

Speaking calmly, he challenged the member to a debate on any subject, at any venue, including television, and said the discussion could be conducted entirely in Hindi without referring to notes. His remarks were delivered confidently and drew attention from lawmakers in the chamber.

A video of the moment was widely shared on social media, where many users praised his language skills and described it as a notable example of cultural diversity in public life.

During his response, Ramkissoon also criticised what he described as “coded language” used to divide society. He stated that his political philosophy supports equality and inclusion.

Background and Role

Vikash Ramkissoon currently serves as a Member of Parliament and Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture in the Guyana. He was appointed to the ministerial position in September 2025.

Before this role, he served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture from 2020 to 2025 during Guyana’s Twelfth Parliament. In that capacity, he worked with agricultural stakeholders, particularly in the Essequibo Islands–West Demerara region.

Ramkissoon has an academic background in commerce, finance and law. He holds a Master of Commerce and Finance and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi. He later earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with Distinction from the University of Guyana.

Prior to entering politics, he worked in the banking sector and served as a Branch Manager at Demerara Bank Limited.

Cultural Context

Guyana has a large Indo-Guyanese population descended from Indian indentured labourers. While English is the country’s official language, Hindi continues to hold cultural significance within parts of the community.

The viral moment also comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between India and Guyana in recent years, including high-level visits and cooperation in sectors such as energy, healthcare and cultural exchange.

Ramkissoon’s speech has since become a talking point both in Guyana and abroad, highlighting issues of identity, language and representation in Parliament.