Narendra Modi's right to 'free speech' hurt by Wharton, says USIBC
Questioning the decision of Wharton India Economic Forum to cancel its invitation to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, US India Business Council today termed it as a missed opportunity for the students of the prestigious business school.
"Unfortunate and disrespectful. Since when is an American University against free speech?" asked USIBC president Ron Somers.
"The Wharton Forum would have given the students a chance to ask the Gujarat Chief Minister hard questions," he said.
Expressing his dissatisfaction over the decision taken by organisers of the Wharton - which is run and managed by the Wharton students - Somers said he gives Modi credit for being willing to submit to a 'no ground rules' grilling.
"The fact this was cancelled by Wharton is a missed opportunity, and condescends the students in that why should Wharton Faculty or the Wharton Administration assume that Wharton students would have given the Chief Minister a free pass?" he said.
Representing more than 350 top US companies including those in the Fortune 500, USIBC is one of the three media partners to the annual Wharton India Economic Form event on March 23, while Somers is one of the keynote speakers.
USIBC is not withdrawing from the event and Somers intends to deliver his key note address to make his point.
"I still plan on attending to make this point about free speech, and about how young people in India and the United States share common ground, similar values: where your last name shouldn't matter, and that freedom and liberty bring with them the
Truth UPA 2 and Communist want to hide.
JJ | 13-Mar-2013Reply | Forward Burning Pilgrims was Jamate Islamia plot, Umerji acting on behalf of a senior congress man in Delhi. It is established. The Blue print of Burning alive non believers with Inflammable liquid and stoneing them the non believers back into fire is a blue print written dawn in the Islamic holy manuals. Gujarat has 18500 towns and villages but only 30,000 police men in one Shift per day. Do you guard an a city with 2 police men per city or Town, Riots were wide spread but Muslims too did not sit idle?Evidence required.
Rajesh | 06-Mar-2013Reply | Forward Your point is totally absurd. Nobody has said that Modi himself killed 300 hindus and 700 muslims after some terrorists killed 60 people in the train. All the cases pending against him are relating to the point that it was happened under his chief ministership. Whether he has taken necessary action to prevent it or not, it will be decided by court. You can of course say that he did it, it is up to you. I have also my right to say that he was implicated wrongly, and there is a conspiracy behind it. I can also say there is a mutual understanding between terrorist groups like Let, JEU and some politicians including some intellectuals. So far no enquiries has proven that he is involved in the riots. If Bhat is saying that he is involded . But 10 other other officers are saying that Bhat is lying. Bhat action is also questionable since he managed to get a ticket for his wife from Congres party. The history of congress party is that it is this party who declared emergency in India. Cntd...
No Pending Cases
Sohail | 07-Mar-2013Reply | Forward Dear Rajesh, You are very wrongly mis-interpreting the use of words such as Implicated, Pending Cases or Charged against Shri Modiji. He was never ever charged, Implicated & no pending cases are against him. Please use legal words properly which could hurt someones reputation.
Evidence required..
Rajesh | 06-Mar-2013Reply | Forward It was the massacre and rape of Indian democracy. Apart from this it is this same congress party defended the sikh massacres (more than 10000 sikhs killed all over India). Bhat had no regretts in asking for a ticket from this Murderer's party. If you truly concerned with the attrocities against human beings it should start from beginning or it should be inclusive irrespective of party line. Remember one thing there was an attack on Indian Parliament and one Gilani was accused of involved in that conspiracy. But the courts let him off because of lack of evidence. Note "Lack of evidence" . This lack of evidence is enough in indian democracy to travel any where and occupy any position in India. This is the true democracy. So before opening your mouth Mr. Prasant must keep all this points in his mind.
