[Updated on November 14]
Vijay Prashad in CounterPunch [via 3quarksdaily]:
But there is a less typical side to the Shah story. Born in Gujarat, India, Shah came to the United States as a two-year old. Her father, a chemical engineer, first worked in New York before moving to Houston, and then moving away from his education toward the stock market. The Shahs remain active in Houston’s Indian community, not only in the ecumenical Gujarati Samaj (a society for people from Gujarat), but also in the far more cruel organizations of the Hindu Right, such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Overseas Friends of the BJP (the main political party of the Hindu Right) and the Ekal Vidyalaya. Shah’s parents, Ramesh and Kokila, not only work as volunteers for these outfits, but they also held positions of authority in them. Their daughter was not far behind. She was an active member of the VHPA, the U. S. branch of the most virulently fascistic outfit within India. The VHP’s head, Ashok Singhal, believes that his organization should “inculcate a fear psychosis among [India's] Muslim community.” This was Shah’s boss. Till 2001, Shah was the National Coordinator of the VHPA.
[Vijay Prashad is the George and Martha Kellner Chair of South Asian History and Director of International Studies at Trinity College, Hartford, CT.]
The Sonal Shah controversy:
And here is Reuben Abraham’s defence of Sonal Shah [via India Uncut]
And Vijay Prashad again in CounterPunch [via 3quarksdaily]: Guilt by participation
Previously in AW: Indian-born women figure on Obama’s A team
I don’t think you should take Vijay Prashad’s word for the whole truth. You might like to check out the Wikipedia page for Indicorps (http://tinyurl.com/6p5kl6), the organization the Shah siblings founded, as well as the site for the organization itself (http://tinyurl.com/6rczrp). I worked with Indicorps to benefit Muslim populations in the slum areas of Delhi in 2005-6, and can attest to Sonal Shah’s character.
I was an Indicorps fellow and volunteered for one year in Gujarat, working with an NGO that provides non-formal education to child laborers in the slum areas of Bhavnagar, Gujarat. From first-hand experience, Sonal Shah is an inclusive, tolerant, and service-oriented individual, and this shows through in the way she shaped Indicorps, in addition to all her other commendable work. The diverse members of Indicorps and its projects is a reflection of the united and empowered India that she tirelessly works for.
Sonal should be congratulated for her appointment to Obama’s Transition Team and for breaking new ground for Indian-Americans and, in fact, the global Indian diaspora.
As you can see, there are plenty of people who are willing to attest to Sonal’s character, her life’s work and how she has directly and through Indicorps, touched our lives. As an Indicorps fellow, I worked in rural Rajasthan addressing issues causing malnutrition – 47% of India’s under 5 yo are malnourished – now this is something we should be getting up in arms about and work to address! As an Indian Christian living amongst Hindus and Muslims in a small village in Rajasthan, I quickly came to experience firsthand the common humanity which binds us all. This was a truly transformative experience which was in no way influenced by any ideology other than one of committed, conscientious service. The fellowship prompts us to think critically about how we might be able to be agents of positive change, not just during our year, but throughout our lives. In my current work on domestic health issues and as an advocate for international health work, I live the lessons learned daily. This is what Sonal Shah’s leadership has resulted in – committed, conscientious individuals who actively seek ways to create a more just world.
Vijay Prsadh’s words are barely wrong. HE JUST SIMPLY TRY’S TO spoil the image of a person which is not a right thing to do. She is the BEST PERSON in the American Indian community to be chosen by OBAMA.