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Ugly differences among NRI groups marred the smooth conducting of the 4th
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2006, which concluded today at HIC
Centre, Hyderabad recently. As a sequel to this, the Hyderabad police took into custody two NRIs
from the USA – Satishnath Chowdary and Attaullah (USA) – for raising slogans
against one of the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards while
receiving the same from the Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
As part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards conferment and the valedictory
session of the PBD-2006, President Dr. Abdul Kalam was giving away the awards to
the chosen NRIs from different countries. While, one of the receipiants Dr. Sudhir
Parikh (USA) arrived on the dais to receive the award, there prevailed a
commotion among the audiences. A delegate NRI from the USA, Satyanath
Chowdary, raised slogans “Shame Shame” and started moving to the dais with a
placard. However, the police in civil dress caught hold of him and dragged him out
of the conference hall in an unceremonious manner.
Immediately, the press and his colleagues from the US rushed out of the
conference hall to enquire into details as to what had exactly happened. But the
police had holed up Chowdary in a separate room. Within seconds, another NRI,
Attaullah too raised slogans and came out of the hall voluntarily. The police took
him also into custody.
Before being taken into the police custody, Mr. Attaullah said that it was utter
shame on the part of the Indian government to honor a fundamentalist with Pravasi
Bharatiya Samman Award. “Everybody knows that Sudhir Parikh is a stooge to
Narendra Modi and is interested in creating communal disturbances. He is neither
a leader to anyone in USA or UK. Nobody cares for him,” he said in an angry mood.
Prominent NRI and a significant name in US community circles Mr. Kevin Kaul
rushed to the room where Satyanath Chowdary was holed up. He said there is no
transparency in the Awards conferment. “I know Dr Sudhir Parikh for the last one
decade. He did nothing for the welfare of the Indian community in abroad. I
certainly say he does not deserve the award. However, I compliment the Central
government of India for honoring my fellow brother Mr. Fareed Zakaria with the
same award.”
Mr Kaul condemned the humiliation to Mr. Satyanath Chowdary and told the police
not to treat him in a rough manner. He further said that Mr. Chowdary had full
right to defend his voice in a democratic way.
Dr. Bharat H. Barai, a top-level official from the Indiana State in the US, said
personal reservations had nothing to do when it comes to community interests. “Dr.
Sudhir Parikh is a VHP person and everybody knows that. But, you can’t link it with
his getting the Samman Award.”
Further, delegates who are attached to the organization – Coalition against
Genocide ( www.coalitionagainstgenocide.com) thronged the spot and extended
solidarity with the NRI who were taken into the police custody.
