A major controversy is brewing in India, and at the center of it is none other than George Soros, the famous Hungarian-American billionaire. Soros, who is known for his charity work around the world, is now facing serious accusations about his involvement in India through his foundation, the Open Society Foundations (OSF).
What’s the Accusation?
According to a well-known lawyer in India’s Supreme Court, Soros has been funding groups that are allegedly trying to change the population makeup of the country. This lawyer, Pankaj Singh, has been actively involved in legal efforts to deport the Rohingya refugees from India. Singh claims that Soros and his OSF have been quietly supporting the resettlement of Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in certain parts of India, especially in states like Jharkhand and Assam. This, he believes, could lead to a significant shift in the religious and ethnic balance of these regions.
Who Are the Rohingyas?
The Rohingyas are a Muslim minority from Myanmar (Burma) who have faced intense persecution in their homeland. Over the years, many have fled to different countries, including India. Singh claims that a large number of these refugees, along with illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, are being settled in tribal areas of India, with Soros’ help. According to him, this is part of a larger plan to create social unrest by fueling religious and ethnic tensions.
The Anti-CAA Protests and Soros’ Role
Singh also pointed out that these demographic changes are not happening in isolation. He accused illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas of participating in the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests that took place in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh. These protests, which were largely against a controversial new citizenship law, led to violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Delhi in February 2020. Singh claims that Soros’ OSF openly supported these protests, further fanning the flames of unrest in the country.
Salil Shetty’s Involvement
Salil Shetty, who was once the vice president of the OSF, is also being accused of backing these anti-government protests. Singh claims that Shetty’s public support for the demonstrations only added to the tensions and helped create more chaos in India. The goal, according to Singh, was clear: to destabilize the government and sow division among the people.
Government Investigation
The Indian government is not ignoring these claims. In 2017, the Ministry of Home Affairs asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Jharkhand to look into the situation. The probe revealed that illegal immigration was indeed a serious issue, particularly because of Jharkhand’s porous border with Bangladesh. The investigation found that the growing number of illegal immigrants could pose a threat to the state’s social harmony, and lead to further unrest.
Public Interest Litigation and Modi’s Speech
The issue has become so serious that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in Jharkhand’s High Court in 2022. The petition called on the state government to take immediate action against illegal settlers. Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed this issue in one of his speeches. He criticized the local government in Jharkhand for not doing enough to stop the illegal immigration and promised that the courts would get involved if the government failed to act.
Soros’ Side of the Story
On the other hand, Soros’ Open Society Foundations insists that their work is focused on human rights and helping those in need. Soros, who survived the horrors of Nazi-occupied Hungary, has been committed to aiding refugees and minorities around the world. In 2015, he visited camps for displaced Rohingyas in Myanmar and drew parallels between their suffering and the Jewish ghettos in World War II. According to OSF, their work is about compassion and supporting people who have been driven from their homes.
The Bigger Picture
While some view Soros as a philanthropist, others see his involvement in India as suspicious. The allegations against him paint a picture of a powerful outsider trying to influence India’s internal matters. His foundation’s support for the Rohingyas and the anti-CAA protests has raised many eyebrows, leading to a debate about whether foreign money should be allowed to influence such sensitive issues in the country.
Whether Soros is trying to bring positive change or create divisions in India, the situation is far from simple. As tensions rise and the debate continues, the role of billionaires and NGOs in the politics of nations is under more scrutiny than ever before.
