New Delhi, June 11: Raising objections to a BJP-linked Malaysia-based outfit’s claim of having Indian Government’s “official” support for its “unofficial” International Yoga Day event, CPI has approached External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, seeking “proper” probe into the matter.
In his June 8 letter to Swaraj, CPI general secretary Sitaram Yechury also sought the issue of the outfit, Overseas Friends of BJP, Malaysia, making such a declaration through a poster to be discussed during meeting of the Ministry’s Consultative Committee, of which he is a member.
The poster, Yechury said, declares the organisation’s June 19 event is being supported by High Commission of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ayush and Indian Council of Cultural Relations.
“Supporting activities abroad that strengthen public opinion in those countries about India and spread goodwill is understandable.
“But so far as I have known, the Government of India or its Commissions abroad or any of its other arms and institutions do not support the declared activities of political parties abroad. . .I think this is a very serious matter that needs to be properly investigated,” Yechury said in the letter.
The Rajya Sabha member further said that there have been complaints in the past of how the ruling party at the Centre has allegedly used subtle methods to promote activities of its affiliates in some countries.
“But what we see here is a brazen effort and the public declaration that a voluntary unofficial event is being officially supported by your ministry, its mission in Malaysia and other organisations of the government of India,” Yechury said and demanded the issue be discussed when the Committee meets next.
