FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Indian Muslim Council-USA (IMC-USA – http://www.imc-usa.org), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguard India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos is calling all community and religious leaders to disassociate themselves from Sadhvi Ritambhara’s politics of hate. Further, IMC-USA appeals to the event organizers, to cancel Sadhvi Ritambhara’s speaking engagements.

Sadhvi Ritambhara is currently being tried by Indian Courts for inciting religious violence. Ritambhara is associated with extremist organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) that has openly incited violence against minorities. Indian Government’s Liberhan Commission held Sadhvi Ritambhara as one of the responsible person for the demolition of Babri Mosque and subsequent slaughter of approximately 3000 innocent citizens.

Her speeches during a previous visit to the US had caused considerable controversy. When her earlier speaking engagement was cancelled by the City of Hollywood, Florida, it embarrassed and divided Indian American community in Florida.

Digvijay Singh, General Secretary, Indian National Congress, and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, states in the August 13, 2010, Frontline Magazine “Similarly, Sadhvi Ritambhara made an inflammatory speech at the same place where VHP workers had murdered a Christian nurse. The administration filed a case against her and she was arrested.”

Ritambhara’s student Sadhvi Pragya Singh has been arrested for masterminding the Malegaon Blasts of September 8, 2006 in which 37 people were killed and over 125 injured Subsequently, Ritambhara came to Singh’s defence.

Indian Americans need to focus on leveraging the strategic relationship between India and America for the betterment of the citizens of India and America – not on the narrow minded ideological loyalties. Let us promote harmony and progress and reject politics of hate and intolerance starting from our community halls, synagogues, churches, mosques and temples.

CONTACT:
Safeer Hashmi
phone/fax: 1-800-839-7270
email: info@imc-usa.org

References:
www.SadhviRitambhara.com
http://imc-usa.org/content/2007/jun/22/imc_usa_commends_city_hollywood_f…