Bosco D'Mello:As a first-generation American at a very early age, it is possible that one is not aware of the extent of the activities of the VHP 'back home'.
Response: Are you suggesting that she became a member and office bearer of an organisation without knowing its constitution and the ideology it stands for? Are you suggesting that as a fund raiser, she did not know for what purposes the funds were being used ? Are you suggesting that she was totally ignorant about the activities of the VHP despite the media publicity? Bosco D'Mello: Perhaps Sonal Shah should be judged by her work going forward rather than her associations of the past. Response: Should we offer the same privilege to Narendra Modi too? What about Dawood Ibrahim and sundry others? Bosco D'Mello:Perhaps we are far too obsessed with this story and forgetting issues closer to home. Response: Bosco, I think you are missing the link between the VHPA and VHP back home. The one which is in the limelight for its terror activities against minorities, the latest in Orissa, Mangalore and elsewhere. The funding of this organisation primarily comes from the expats in the USA and UK. Back in Goa, the HJS and SS, off-shoots of the VHP are in the forefront of creating communal discord. eg: FACT exhibition, protest against screening of M F Hussain's documentary at the IFFI. There are several links in the chain. Let us not become blind and complacent. Regards, Marshall
