Hi India stands by report on US team’s Modi trip
2 April 2013 7:22 AM IST
An ethnic Indian newspaper in the US says it stands by its report that organisers of the US delegation to India that met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had canvassed for participants in the trip at prices ranging from $3,000 to $16,000.
‘Hi India published the article on the basis of factual information available to it from various sources,’ said Hemant Brahmbhatt, publisher of the Chicago based newspaper which published a report on the US Congressional delegation’s visit to India, in a statement.
These included a copy of the official invitation sent out by the National Indian American Public Policy Institute (NIAPPI) as well as a news conference addressed by its founder, Shalabh Kumar, a Chicago businessman, he said asserting ‘the story was published in keeping with the best traditions of responsible journalism.’
The trip has been mired in controversy since the publication of the Hi India report that the organisers had canvassed in the Indian American community for participants in the trip that included four US members of the House of Representatives, all Republicans. The US delegation, including Congress members Marlin Stutzman, Cyntia Wiederspahn, Cathy Rodgers and Aaron Schock, met Modi, who has been denied a US visa for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
‘Hi India published the article on the basis of factual information available to it from various sources,’ said Hemant Brahmbhatt, publisher of the Chicago based newspaper which published a report on the US Congressional delegation’s visit to India, in a statement.
These included a copy of the official invitation sent out by the National Indian American Public Policy Institute (NIAPPI) as well as a news conference addressed by its founder, Shalabh Kumar, a Chicago businessman, he said asserting ‘the story was published in keeping with the best traditions of responsible journalism.’
The trip has been mired in controversy since the publication of the Hi India report that the organisers had canvassed in the Indian American community for participants in the trip that included four US members of the House of Representatives, all Republicans. The US delegation, including Congress members Marlin Stutzman, Cyntia Wiederspahn, Cathy Rodgers and Aaron Schock, met Modi, who has been denied a US visa for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
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