'Politics Of Innuendo'

We, the undersigned, are dismayed by attempts to draw Sonal Shah’s name into needlesscontroversy by questioning her ideological affiliations and to make utterly false accusationsagainst her. We do not want to speculate on the motives behind these stories. We simply want toset the record straight on the following propositions.

1. All of us have known Sonal for considerable periods of time and can affirm this withoutreservation: She does not in any way support, excuse, condone, justify or do special pleading forpolitical groups that foment hate and/or engage in the kind of violence that was perpetrated inGujarat. Associating her with the RSS and VHP is an outrageous attempt to insinuate doubtabout her commitment to human rights, toleration and the rule of law. There is no reasonwhatsoever to take these insinuations seriously. You can judge Sonal for yourself. But we urgeyou not to judge her by false and misleading media reports.

2. There is something dangerous about the politics of innuendo being carried out againstSonal. Itunfairly tarnishes her excellent moral reputation, and is therefore a great violation of her rights asan individual. Such projections of guilt by innuendo are deeply corrosive of public discourse.

3. None of the stories we have seen give evidence for thinking that Sonal has any politicalaffiliations or beliefs that will come in the way of discharging the responsibilities of whateveroffice she may occupy. It would be deeply wrong if participation in collecting earthquake relief,or one invitation to speak at some organization would be considered enough to disqualify her foroffice. Yet ill-informed individuals and groups are using these stories to suggest just this. Shehas expressly distanced herself and criticized ideologies of hate and division, and that isconsistent with her professional conduct and outlook.

4. It is ironic that some people who claim to be defending toleration and the rights of allindividuals should be engaged in this campaign. It suggests, tragically, that some of them are lessinterested in these values and more interested in using them to foment needless controversy.

5. We do not have to argue own cause, but all of us have been, in their own way, as deeplycommitted to the cause of a secular liberal India as any. Some of us have been at the receivingend of the politics of hate the VHP and RSS foment. But we are dismayed when talentedindividuals like Sonal, with a record of accomplishment, are unfairly targeted by people whoallegedly are acting in the name of liberal values.

6. We urge that liberal civility be restored and individuals like Sonal not be unfairly targeted.

Sincerely, 

Pratap Bhanu Mehta 
President, Centre for Policy Research

Tarun Das 
Chief Mentor, Confederation of Indian Industry

Devesh Kapur 
Director, Center for Advanced Studies of India, The University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan 
Convenor, Lok Satta Party

Ajay G. Piramal 
Chairman, Piramal Enterprises Limited

Pankaj Chandra 
Director, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

Reuben Abraham 
Professor, Indian School of Business

Roopa Purushothaman 
Head, Future Capital Research

Veena Siddharth 
Vice President, International Division, Planned Parenthood Federation of America 
Former Asia Division Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch