FISI France / Madhu Sudan Sukhwal in Paris & Advani's official trip

The Hindu - January 24, 2003
URL: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/01/24/stories/2003012404751200.htm

A non-embassy affair in Paris

By Vaiju Naravane

Paris JAN. 23. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, on a two-day official visit here, is to meet the Indian community at a special reception organised by the Friends of India Society International — France, that describes itself as an association promoting non-governmental contacts between India and France. Several critics of the association, however, say it is linked to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other pro-Hindutva bodies.

Receptions that give visiting leaders an opportunity to meet the Indian community members are usually organised by the embassy on behalf of the Government of India. In this case, Madhu Sudan Sukhwal, working president of the association, has established direct communication lines with the Home Ministry in New Delhi.

"I contacted the Deputy Prime Minister who told me to organise the reception while keeping the embassy informed. The Ministry gave us the go ahead. We have organised this reception entirely on our own with no financing either from the embassy or any State-controlled body such as the State Bank or Air India. With the exception of the Ambassador who has been very kind, we got only obstacles from embassy officials instead of receiving help. They gave us a list and we invited some of the people on that list,'' Mr, Sukhwal, who has close relations with the Human Resource Development Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, and other pro-Hindutva stalwarts, told The Hindu.

The association had, in the past, organised "rath yatras" in Paris with support from the VHP, the Gunati Jyote Mission, the International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and the Gujarati Hindu Samaj.

"We issued 625 invitations and are expecting about 550 persons to attend this function in honour of the Deputy Prime Minister. There will be many eminent persons present including high-level representatives from several French ministries. But this is not a reception for rich Indians only. We have invited representatives from all states, religions and cultures. What counts is the contribution the invitees have made to the cause of India,'' Mr. Sukhwal said.

The list given by the Indian Embassy contained 137 names. Of these only 70 have been invited by the association. Several persons not on the guest list are known for their anti-Hindutva views. The reception has cost the association about Rs. 6 lakh. "Every bit has been paid by our members. We have 200 active and life members. We are a voluntary organisation," Mr Sukhwal said.

Senator Jean Francois Poncet, who heads the Indo-French forum, will be present at the function. Mr. Sukhwal and the Indian Ambassador, Savitri Kunnadi, will also speak on the occasion.

Asked on what basis the Home Ministry had allowed just one private association in France to organise a reception in the name of the entire Indian community, Mr. Ajay Prasad, Officer on Special Duty to the Deputy Prime Minister, told The Hindu: "This is a matter we will have to look into. We did receive a letter asking for permission to hold the reception and it was granted."

On whether the Home Ministry had checked the political agenda of the association, Mr. Prasad said: "I am not in a position to answer that question now."