Professor Shamika Ravi, a respected economist and member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), has firmly rebutted allegations made by Congress leader Pawan Khera regarding her alleged connections to George Soros's Open Society Foundation. This controversy arises amid heightened political tensions between the Congress and the BJP, with Soros emerging as a focal point in their ongoing exchanges.
Khera accused Ravi of receiving funds from the Open Society Foundation, suggesting a conflict of interest given her current advisory role in the Prime Minister's council. In response, Ravi labeled the claim as "entirely incorrect" and provided a detailed account of the situation. She explained that the Open Society Foundation had funded a project on financial inclusion at the Indian School of Business (ISB) in 2006-07, where she served as an assistant professor at the time. However, Ravi emphasized that the funding was directed to the institution, not to individual faculty members, and categorically stated that she had not received any personal financial support from the foundation.
Ravi also pointed out the significant time gap between her tenure at ISB and her joining the EAC-PM in 2023, almost two decades later. She expressed pride in her work with the council and defended her professional integrity, describing Khera's remarks as baseless and defamatory. She further tweeted, “18 years later, I joined the EAC-PM. I have never been more proud of my work, my nation, or my Prime Minister. Meanwhile, in 2020, George Soros declared his anti-India designs, and guess who swarms towards him?” This was seen as a direct swipe at the Congress and its alleged ties to Soros-backed organizations.
Khera’s allegations came against the backdrop of the BJP’s claims that Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, have connections to entities funded by Soros. These accusations have been dismissed by the Congress as diversionary tactics to shift focus from the ongoing Parliament discussions on the Gautam Adani bribery case. Congress leaders argue that the BJP is using the Soros issue to avoid addressing the core issue of alleged corruption.
The BJP’s strategy of linking Soros to the Congress gained momentum after the philanthropist openly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020 and made statements about India’s democratic framework. Soros’s controversial remarks on Kashmir, where he suggested support for its independence, have further fueled his depiction as an adversary of India’s political establishment. The BJP has sought to frame him as a symbol of external interference in India’s sovereignty, accusing Congress of aligning with such foreign influences.
Khera’s tweet demanded an inquiry into Ravi’s activities and questioned whether the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) would remove her from her advisory role. His remarks fueled the larger debate over Soros’s influence in India, where his Open Society Foundation has been criticized for allegedly funding organizations that challenge governmental policies.
This political episode reflects the deepening ideological and narrative battles between the Congress and the BJP. The BJP has persistently accused the Congress of seeking international support to destabilize India. At the same time, the Congress claims that such narratives are mere distractions from substantive issues like the Adani bribery case and growing economic concerns.
George Soros, a 92-year-old Hungarian-American financier and philanthropist, has been a polarizing figure globally. Known for his support of democracy and human rights, Soros has also faced criticism for allegedly meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. His foundation has been associated with projects that promote civil liberties, but detractors argue that its activities often align with geopolitical agendas that challenge established governments.
This controversy over Shamika Ravi is yet another chapter in the ongoing tussle between India’s two largest political parties, reflecting their struggle to control the narrative on issues ranging from corruption to foreign influence. As Parliament continues to witness disruptions, these political confrontations highlight the intense battle for public perception ahead of key elections.
