Earlier this month (December), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged all political parties, including the Congress, to unite against forces “acting against India” and to speak out if their leaders undermine national interests. His statement came in the wake of serious allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
BJP’s allegations related to George Soros
The BJP has alleged that Sonia Gandhi, in her capacity as co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, has ties to an organisation funded by the George Soros Foundation. According to the BJP, this organisation supports the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation, a position that the party argues undermines India’s territorial integrity.
BJP leaders have further claimed that George Soros, a Hungarian-American philanthropist and political activist, has significant influence over the FDL-AP Foundation. They contend that Gandhi’s association with this organisation indicates collaboration to undermine India’s growth and sovereignty. Additionally, BJP officials have accused Rahul Gandhi of using Soros-funded entities to critique the Indian government, particularly on economic matters related to business groups.
Who is George Soros?
George Soros, born in Budapest in 1930, is a renowned investor, philanthropist, and political activist. He survived the Nazi occupation during World War II and later emigrated to the United States in 1956. Known for his success in currency trading, Soros famously bet against the British pound in 1992, earning him the moniker “The Man Who Broke the Bank of England”.
Soros established the Open Society Foundations, a global network promoting democracy and human rights. Over the years, he has donated billions to various causes, including education, health and social justice. According to Bloomberg, Soros’ net worth stands at $6.5 billion as of December 2024.
George Soros and the India connection
The Open Society Foundations began operations in India in 1999, initially providing scholarships and fellowships to students. Since 2008, the foundation has invested over $90 million in start-ups and early-stage projects through Bangalore-based Aspada Investments.
Soros has become a controversial figure in India’s political discourse, particularly following the Adani-Hindenburg controversy earlier this year. After Soros remarked that the Adani Group’s troubles could “significantly weaken Modi’s stranglehold on India’s federal government”, BJP leaders accused him of attempting to “destroy” Indian democracy. The party claimed that Soros wanted to install “hand-picked” individuals in positions of power in India.
The BJP has intensified its scrutiny of foreign funding in Indian organisations, citing Sonia Gandhi’s leadership of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation as evidence of ties to the George Soros Foundation. They argue that such associations reveal the influence of foreign entities on Indian political and social frameworks.
George Soros and his global political influence
Soros’ political activism extends beyond India. In the United States, he is a prominent supporter of progressive causes and Democratic candidates, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. His financial contributions to liberal initiatives have made him a polarising figure, particularly among conservative circles and supporters of Donald Trump.
Critics argue that Soros leverages his wealth to influence political outcomes worldwide, a claim often repeated by his detractors in India. The BJP’s portrayal of Soros as a meddler in India’s internal affairs aligns with similar criticisms voiced by Republicans in the US.
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