Indian-American groups protest Sonal Shah's appointment

Times of India -

10 Nov 2008, 2000 hrs IST, PTI

NEW YORK: Three Indian-American groups have protested the appointment of Sonal Shah in US President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, claiming that she is closely associated with the VHP and warned against Hindutva "infiltration" into the power centres of the US society. In a joint statement, Indian Coalition Against Genocide and Indian American Coalition for Pluralism and Non Resident Indians for a Secular and Harmonious India said they are holding consultations among themselves and like-minded Indian-American leaders on the issue. The organisations have asked Shah to clarify her position about her association with the VHP and its "mother organisation" RSS. The statement said they have avowed to increase their efforts to "educate the American politicians and business leaders about the attempts by the Hindu ultra-nationalist Hindutva movement to infiltrate the power centres of the US society by giving big donations and through volunteer work." The Coalition Against Genocide was instrumental in getting the visa of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi revoked in 2005, it recalled and voiced concerns that an attempt might be made to get his visa reinstated. After India media reports linked Shah to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, her brother Anand Shah had said the 40-year economist's family had nothing to do with the VHP or the Gujarat government. Shah was on November 6 named in a 15-member team which will oversee smooth transition of power from the Bush Administration to the incoming Obama dispensation.