Media Advisor to the Prime Minister Harish Khare has categorically denied the claim, made by columnist S. Gurumurthy, that he accepted the invitation and hospitality of Ghulam Nabi Fai, executive director, Kashmiri American Council.
Dr. Fai was arrested earlier this week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on charges of receiving illegal contributions from sources, including Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, to influence policymakers on the U.S. government's position on Kashmir.
These funds have reportedly been used to hold conferences attended by prominent U.S., Indian and Pakistani personalities. Mr. Gurumurthy, in his newspaper column, included the name of Dr. Khare as being one of the eminent Indians who availed themselves of Dr. Fai's hospitality.
Dr. Khare, in a brief statement, said: “This has reference to Shri S. Gurumurthy's article “Are they just ‘useful idiots'?” in The New Indian Express, dated 22 July, 2011. Shri Gurumurthy has included my name in the list of “seculars and liberals” who have accepted Mr. Ghulam Nabi Fai's invitation and hospitality.
“Shri Gurumurthy's assertion is a total lie. I completely deny the allegation. I do not know Mr. Fai. I have never met him, much less accepted his hospitality for any seminar or convention. A legal notice is also being sent to the newspaper.”
Meanwhile, asked to comment on the developments centred on Dr. Fai in the U.S., External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said, “The facts speak for themselves. We have no comment.”
Keywords: Harish Khare, Ghulam Nabi Fai, Inter-Services Intelligence, Kashmir issue, Pakistan-U.S. relations, Kashmiri American Council
Mr. Ravichandran, Please read the rejoinder of Sri.Gurumurthy in the New Indian Express, dated 23.07.2001, in the letters the Editor column. He stands by what he has written and has given what you need - the source. Mr. Khare never denied the same event when reported in the American media. Sri.Gurumurthy is ready to face the legal notice. Let nothing stop Mr.Khare from sending a legal notice. The least one can say about Mr.Khare, is that he is anti-National, and he must be tried for sedition. Do you know where Mr.Khare's wife is working ? In a trust SEVA, flush with UPA government's funds. So, please do your simple arithmetic calculation - 2+2 is equal to what? I hope that you are not naive.
Whats wrong if an Indian attended a seminar on Kashmir organized by an alleged spy? Gurumurthy does not cite his sources. This is typical yellow journalism, guilt by association. If Gurumuthy dined with a socialite, who happened to be a lady of the night that does not necessarily mean he had an illicit affair. Does it?
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