Who is Sunita Viswanath whose photo with Rahul Gandhi was flagged by Smriti Irani?
Smriti Irani asked why Rahul Gandhi met Sunita Viswanath, an aide of George Soros, on his US trip.
Union minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday flagged a photo of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Sunita Viswanath and said only Rahul Gandhi can reveal why he met this woman and what transpired in the meeting. Linking Sunita Viswanath with George Soros, Smriti Irani said, "Every Indian is aware of George Soros's intention. Then why did Rahul Gandhi meet George Soros's aide in the US," Smriti Irani said.
Who is Sunita Vishwanath? 5 things to know
Sunita Viswanath is the co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights. This is a US-based organisation.
Sunita Viswanath is also the c-founder of Abaad: Afghan Women Forward
Sunita Viswanath was at the centre of a controversy in 2020 when she was made the Religious Life Advisor of Columbia University.
Sunita Viswanath's first marriage was with writer Suketu Mehta. her second marriage was with Stephan Shaw.
On social media, Sunita Viswanath has been accused of being 'Soros proxy' alleging that her organisation for Afghan women received funds from George Soros.
"The Gandhi family once again proved the extent that they can go to suppress the truth even after they get the power in a state (Karnataka). But information available on public domain reveals that the meeting was convened by those with links with Jamaat and the meeting was with those with links with George Soros," Irani said. The press conference was after an FIR was filed against BJP's Amit Malviya in Karnataka for a tweet against Rahul Gandhi.
"The foreigner who says he can topple your government, what is your relationship with them," Smriti Irani said.
Sunita Viswanath, Tazeem Ansari, Salil Shetty: What Smriti Irani said
At Wednesday's press conference, Smriti Irani showed the photo of Sunita Viswanath and also mentioned the names of Tazeem Ansari and Salil Shetty. "For the registration of Rahul Gandhi's New York meeting on June 4, the name and number of Mr Ansari (Tazeem Ansari) were given. His connection with the Islamic Circle of North America is proved. The US Congress said the Islamic Circle of North America has aconnection with Jamaat-e-Islam," Smriti Irani said.
Speaking of Salil Shetty, Smriti Irani said, "His photo with Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo Yatra was published everywhere. Salil Shetty is the global vice president of Open Society Foundations funded by George Soros."
ABOUT THE AUTHORPoulomi GhoshPoulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi.

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