IMC-USA welcomes the decision of FDI magazine to withdraw award to Narendra Modi as the Asian Personality of 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2009
Indian Muslim Council – USA (IMC-USA: http://www.imc-usa.org/), an advocacy group working towards safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, welcomes the decision of FDI magazine to not honor Narendra Modi as the Asian Personality of 2009. This is indeed a recognition by FDI magazine that Narendra Modi at best is a controversial figure, facing legal scrutiny under the direction of the highest court of India in his role in the mass murders of thousands of innocent citizens, mass rapes of unknown number of women and young girls and destruction of properties including places of worship.
IMC-USA cautions FDI magazine to not contradict its decision by inviting Narendra Modi to either receive this award to the State of Gujarat or to attend the award ceremony. Any invitation to Narendra Modi not only likely to invite another wave of protest from the civil society but potentially cause a diplomatic tension given the decision of United States in 2005 to not only deny a diplomatic visa to Narendra Modi but to revoke his existing visa. This rebuke of United States to Narendra Modi based on his unsavory record caused United Kingdom to not offer any security if he visits United Kingdom.
This is not just a moral issue but an emotionally charged issue since thousands of victims of the pogrom under his watch are yet to see the light of justice. The best way moving forward is to avoid any involvement with Narendra Modi while the dark shadow of legal investigations is only getting darker by the day.
Indian Muslim Council-USA is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 10 chapters across the nation.
CONTACT:
Dr. Hyder Khan
phone/fax: 1-800-839-7270
email: media@imc-usa.org
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