-----Original Message-----
From: Marshall Mendonza
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?
RESPONSE: Yes....I believe she was only involved in relief work post-Gujarat
earthquake. These are my conclusions based on my limited reading on the
issue.
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?
RESPONSE: It is inappropriate of you to associate Sonal with the other
individuals above. Our views on issues evolve as we mature. There are
various factors that influence what we say and what we do as we grow. So its
likely Sonal joined and quit the VHPA. So what??? I do not believe Sonal has
committed any criminal act and so we cannot associate her with any
inappropriate activity of the VHP.
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.
RESPONSE: You are making far too many assumptions for one post.....:-) I do
not live in an insular coccoon.
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.
RESPONSE: I agree we should not become blind and complacent. But to what
degree are you willing to blame Sonal and her work for the neafrious
activities of the organizations you mention above. Is she responsible for
communal discord? terror activities against minorities?? Sonal is an
economist first and everything else next. She has been tapped by Obama on
account of her economic prowess.
Like I said, chasing the enigma named Sonal is not addressing the issues
closer to home albeit it appears you have clued-in by mentioning some of
their names above.
- b
