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Obama advisor Sonal Shah denies VHP-RSS link

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  • Prominent Indian American, Sonal Shah, who has been appointed in US President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, has rubbished reports of her links with Indian right wing organisations like RSS and VHP and has come out with condemnation of "politics of division".

    An eminent economist, Shah, who has been appointed as an advisory board member by Obama to assist his team in smooth transition of power said, however, she was proud to be associated with NGOs dedicated to humanitarian missions, specifically for their work for quake-relief in Gujarat.

    40-year-old Shah is part of a panel comprising individuals with significant private and public sector experience who will offer their expertise in their respective fields to Obama's transition team.

    "My personal politics has nothing in common with views espoused by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), or any such organisation. I've never been involved in Indian politics, and never intend to do so".

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    Shah said in a statement, "I've always condemned any politics of division, of ethnic or religious hatred, of violence and intimidation as a political tool."

    She described as "Internet rumours" and "factually inaccurate," the reports linking her to "Hindu Nationalist groups through a variety of tenuous connections".

    She said, she was proud to have helped the earthquake victims of Gujarat, through NGOs working there.

    "As regards, relief work in 2001, I'm proud to have helped Gujarat earthquake victims, purely on the basis of humanitarian grounds. I've been privileged to do as a founder of the NGO Indicorps and as the Director of Global Development for Google.org," she said.

    hope soBy: ravindradath | 26-Jan-2009 Reply | Forward i hope that shah is hindu and connected with RSS and VHP. maybe she can talk sensens into obama's head and stand up to muslims
    Sonal Shah's connection with VHP etcBy: Rohit. Desai | 13-Nov-2008 Reply | Forward Sonal Shah is not answering the question asked to her to clarify her connection wirh RSS, VHP and Bajarang Dal.. She must say if she is a member of any of these organisations.
    Hindustan is for hindus by hindus and of hindus.By: Shallabh | 06-Dec-2008 Reply | Forward If she is? will you become a muslim, seems like you already are... Jai RSS Jai hindu Jai HINDUSTAN...
    Sonal has not been fairBy: Balkrishna | 13-Nov-2008 Reply | Forward OK So lets get this straight. If you are associated with NGOs who do never emerge in sight after the multiple Muslim extremist initiated bomb blasts then it is OK but if you are associated with Hindu Swayam sevak - social service organizations it becomes a crime to condone and an allegation to quickly dissaosictae yourself from? How pathetic!
    Good and EvilBy: HNS Murthy | 12-Nov-2008 Reply | Forward Traditionally we Indians pick or look for negative sides in any successful personalities and events. Great are those who fire back and ignore. W#hen will we learn to see the good in everything first and then weigh to see if it overweighs or nor, before launching smear campaign shamelessly. If we cannot talk good, silence is better. Let us all stick to this and let people do their work in peace.
    Good for USBy: Nanda | 12-Nov-2008 Reply | Forward What is the problem by having association with VHP and RSS. They are not banned terrorist organisations. They are just Hindu social service organizations. If she is part of Alquida or SIMI, then it is dangerous.It will be good for US to have someone with who is associated with RSS. Afterall, Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee had link with RSS, so will he become dangerous to US.Just by turning anti-hindu, noone can reduce the luster of Hindu philosophy or moral values. It has been there, seen all that.
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