The unexpected death of Independent senator Deoroop Teemal took a heated turn yesterday following a statement by fellow senator Anthony Vieira that his health had been affected by a “toxic political environment” and attacks levelled at the independent bench.

Teemal, who served as an Independent senator since 2018 and was president of the National Council on Indian Culture (NCIC) passed away yesterday morning at his home in St Augustine at the age of 68.

Remembering him as a man deeply rooted in service in a release, Vieira made reference to what he said were ‘un-meritous’ and ‘deeply unfair’ attacks made against independent senators, including Teemal.