Kejriwal lets down Modi: March 5, 2013- News n Analysis by Dr. Raj Baldev, Cosmo Theorist, on the issue of addressing the keynote on Wharton India Economic Forum on March 23 in Philadelphia. The University has cancelled Modi’s invitation by replacing it by Mr. Kejriwal, what do you say about it?
This decision was taken a day after cancelling the keynote address by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in wake of certain controversies; the Forum decided to invite Mr. Kejraiwal, Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to address the Wharton India Economic Forum on March 23 in Philadelphia.
By cancelling the visit of Mr. Modi and his addressing his keynote, Wharton is believed to have warded off the fears of “polarising reactions”.
At the same time, I feel so far canceling the invitation of Mr.Modi was concerned, it may be a controversial decision but to replace him with Mr. Kejriwal, does not look to be proper, it is more controversial and objectionable. Mr. Kejriwal stands no match with Mr. Modi’s great personality, however it may look controversial.
In his regard, a confusion shall naturally prevail among the intelligentsia who can compare the issue in the right prospective.
By taking Mr. Kejriwal in place of Mr. Modi, the University has lowered its status to a great extent, it is a wrong decision, they should have invited some suitable personality who could match the status of Mr. Modi.
Earlier keynote speakers have included former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, BJP leader Varun Gandhi and industrialist Anil Ambani.
While the BJP slammed US’s “double standards”, Wharton professors maintained that their stand against Modi was based on facts and human rights records in Gujarat.
As a mark of repect against the cancellation of Modi’s address, Shiv Sena leader Suresh Prabhu and Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani also canceled their scheduled addresses at the prestigious forum.
I agree with Suresh Prabhu, who is a member of the India Economic Forum at Wharton, the university’s U-turn on Modi is an insult to India.
It was Wharton that had invited Mr. Modi; he was not Modi who requested to be invited, hence it is an insult to India, Kejriwal should not have accepted this offer.
