FIACONA criticizes Manmohan Singh for “failing to meet several challenges head on”

Corruption in UPA deplored by Christian body in the US.

By The American Bazaar Staff

WASHINGTON, DC: Elections in India should be held in a “free and fair” manner, with no undue influences from the governments of any other countries, particularly that of the US, said the executive board of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizers of North America (FIACONA).

The organization’s general body met in Washington, DC this past weekend, during which several aspects of the Lok Sabha elections – expected to draw some 800 million Indians to the polls, for what will surely be the largest democratic event in human history – were discussed in depth. Among those topics were the validity of ballots cast using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and the voice of India’s religious minorities.

FIACONA’s executive board “took note” of reports that EVMs in various constituencies, during the first round of elections in north-east India, apparently were modified to cast all votes for a certain party, regardless of who the voter actually cast their ballot for. FIACONA said that they hope this matter gets resolved, and hopes that sufficient attention has been drawn to it so that it can be rectified.

The organization also “urged the leaders of political parties [in India] to be respectful of the civil and social rights of every single citizen of India, regardless of one’s religious or social affiliation.” Reports have surfaced that certain religious minorities have been bullied away from the polls, or bullied into voting a certain way, even if it goes against their personal beliefs – FIACONA hopes that such actions are suppressed, for the rest of the polls.

FIACONA reserved particular disdain for India’s outgoing Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh of the country’s Congress Party, condemning the leader for failing to “meet several challenges head on, in spite of the mandate given to him.” Although the organization offered praise for Singh’s handing of the Indian economy, which mostly flourished under his watch, they criticized him for his handling of the country’s social and political dilemmas.

“Though corruption is a social problem in India, Dr. Singh’s inability to check other members of his coalition government from misusing their high offices for personal financial gains is deplored,” said the press release. “Further, the Board [criticizes] Dr. Singh’s inability to stand firmly for what is right and to speak out firmly when injustices were done to well-meaning people.”

Part of the organization’s enmity with Singh stems from the fact that FIACONA’s president, John Pradbhudoss, has been denied a visa to enter India since 2010, allegedly at the behest of Singh himself, because Prabhudoss voiced his support for the victims of the Kandhammal violence back in 2008.

Nevertheless, FIACONA wished India’s citizens good luck, reiterating that the election’s results must be comprised of the opinions of Indian and Indians alone – no one else should try to influence the outcome.

Based in Washington, DC, FIACONA is one of the leading organizations in the US for Indian-origin Americans who are of the Christian faith. Its current president is John Prabhudoss, vice-president is Dr. K.P. Verghese, general secretary is Dr. Angie Lazarus, assistant general secretary is Dr. Raj Sampson, and treasurer is Titus Mathew.