The Growing AID-India Scandal

[utepian]

PRESS RELEASE
WHAT: <b>Silent Protest against AID and AID INDIA at Wortham Center</b>, Houston, Texas
BY: Concerned Citizens
DAY: Sunday, January 23, 2005
TIME: 5.00PM to 6.00PM
EVENT: Houston Benefit Concert for Tsunami Victims organized by
INDO-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (IAA)

There was a protest against AID (Association for India’s Development) or AID INDIA, which was listed as one of the beneficiaries of the funds raised during the concert. However, according to recent media reports in Houston and those reports emanating from Indian sources, AID is purportedly using funds collected in the name of relief to aid and abet nearly half a dozen communist or extreme left-wing political organizations in India and Nepal that are engaged in violent political and terrorist activities in the region. We believe that the purported activities of AID and AID INDIA are in violation of United States laws that specifically prohibit support to foreign political and terrorist organizations especially by non-profit organizations registered in the United States.

There are several reports, including one entitled “AIDing & Abetting Communists” by Dharam Singh, published in the local Houston paper “India Herald” (January 21, 2005), that clearly indicates that AID might be in violation of United States tax laws. We feel that pending further investigation of such reports, AID or AID INDIA should not be allowed to collect funds in the US. If indeed AID is engaged in nefarious political activities, putting a quick end to such activities and protecting the unsuspecting donors depends upon immediate action from our law enforcing authorities.

This information and our concerns, which we consider very serious, were earlier conveyed to the organizer of the concert. We feel that the donors must also be informed of the AID and AID INDIA’s alleged illegal activities.
Concerned Citizens
Contact: Mr. Pradip Parekh
104 Woodcreek Circle
Victoria Texas 77904
361 572 8125
E-mail: ppt@cox-internet.com
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Copy of flyers distributed to the attendees at Wortham Center:
January 23, 2005
Dear Fellow Citizens and Kind Donors:
We, the concerned citizens of Houston, are deeply moved by the outpouring of support for the victims of the Tsunami disaster. We are proud that Americans are a very generous people and are always ready to help those in need.

However, the FBI in conjunction with domestic and international law enforcement agencies and industry partners, has issued several warnings involving the solicitation of funds for relief. The warnings state that certain organizations and individuals may be using such unfortunate catastrophes to advance their own subversive and illegal agendas. All agencies take such unscrupulous activities seriously and are resolved to aggressively pursuing those who attempt to victimize philanthropic people.

As concerned citizens we are compelled to inform you that one of the so-called charitable organizations known as AID (Association for India’s Development) or AID INDIA, which will benefit from tonight’s concert may be misusing the funds for potentially illegal political activities. According to media reports here and those emanating from Indian sources, AID is purportedly using funds collected in the name of relief to aid and abet nearly half a dozen communist or extreme left-wing political organizations in India and Nepal that are engaged in violent terrorist activities in the region. We believe that the alleged activities of AID and AID INDIA are in violation of United States laws that specifically prohibit support to foreign political and terrorist organizations by non-profit organizations registered in the United States.

There are several reports, including one entitled “AIDing & Abetting Communists” by Dharam Singh, published in the local paper “India Herald” (January 21, 2005), that clearly indicate that AID’s activities might be in violation of United States laws. We feel that pending further investigation of such reports, AID or AID INDIA should not be allowed to collect funds in the US. If indeed AID is engaged in nefarious political activities, putting a quick end to such activities and protecting the unsuspecting donors depends upon immediate action from donors and our law enforcing authorities.

We have conveyed this information and our concerns, which we consider very serious, to the organizer of tonight’s concert. We feel that the donors must also be informed of the AID’s alleged illegal activities. Thank you for your kind generosity. Please do not donate to AID or AID INDIA.
Concerned Citizens