The Gita Sahgal-Amnesty International row refuses to die down. The latest to enter the fray is Salman Rushdie who has come out in support of Gita Sahgal against her suspension by Amnesty International. Sahgal had protested against the Amnesty joining hands with Moazzam Begg (in picture), a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay. Rushdie's statement has sparked a new debate on the issue with every commentator worth his salt throwing in his hat. Sahgal had supported Rushdie when a fatwa was issued against him in 1989 for his book Satanic Verses. While in Rushdie's case it may be a case of gratitude, for many, Sahgal's credentials are too strong to not take a stand.
However, the comments from readers and common public on he issue are the ones that are more enlightening and reveal the faultlines. This is not a simple black and white debate. Sahgal, is known for her liberal views and activism and her stand on the Begg issue acquires an altogether different dimension.
Interestingly, Begg's father was from India (just like Sahgal and her family) who went to Pakistan and settled in UK. Rushdie himself has links with India and Pakistan (where some of his relatives have lived) and his statement will go a long way in keeping the debate alive for some more weeks. But Salil Shetty, who is also India-born and currently with UN, slated to head Amnesty must be hoping the issue dies down before joins its London headquarters in June/July.
Read my interview with Salil Shetty published in Mumbai Mirror.
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