“I don’t see it as a derogatory word,” Maharaj said. “If some persons want to use it as derogatory for their own edification, that is up to them. “We talked about it, but nobody was offended about it, and that is the hierarchy of the Maha Sabha,” he said. Persad-Bissessar began using the word after it was repeatedly used by cheesemaker Star Sabga in a leaked recorded conversation between her and her relative Geneview Hadeed. Soca artiste under fireMeanwhile, Soca artiste Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc came under stiff criticism yesterday after making a racially charged Facebook rant.