Economist Sonal Shah’s appointment to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team as an adviser has sparked raging controversy and her supporters say she is being viciously maligned
Only Indian American on Obama transition team was targeted by Leftist blogger NEW YORK: Economist Sonal Shah’s appointment to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team as an adviser has sparked raging controversy and her supporters say she is being viciously maligned as a “closet fascist” with alleged links to Hindu fundamentalist organisations.
Washington insiders say Shah’s inclusion in the 15-member Obama Transition Board should have been a triumph for the 2.3 million Indian American community and are stunned at the attacks on her.
“It is the first time an Indian American has been elected to the transition team of a president-elect. It is an honour that is shared by all Indian Americans. Shouldn’t we be celebrating her success?” said Sanjay Puri, who started the US Indian Political Action Committee (USINPAC) seven years ago after he grew tired of watching successful Indian Americans pony up money just so they could get their picture taken with a politician.
“Sonal is a tremendous role model,” added Puri, who made Virginia senator George Allen apologise after he was caught on video in August calling an Indian American man “macaca” — a type of monkey. “Sonal should be judged by her resume, Indicorps, which is a labour of love and what she has given back.”
Vijay Prashad doesn’t agree. Prashad, who holds the George and Martha Kellner Chair in South Asian History and is professor at Trinity College in Connecticut, started the tempest by writing an essay in the Left-leaning Counterpunch.
He detailed how Shah’s parents held senior positions in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Overseas Friends of the BJP and the Ekal Vidyalayas and that their daughter was not far behind.
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