casinyeam George Soros, Global Right's Favourite Bogeyman, Disrupts Parliament

George Soros Photo: AFP George Soros Photo: AFP

Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is in the eye of a storm blowing in the ongoing winter session of India’s Parliament, with senior leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Opposition Congress of being in cahoots with the liberal activistcasinyeam, who is a favourite bogeyman for right-wing forces in many countries.

The Congress party has hit back, accusing the BJP of trying to distract from domestic challenges. Congress party spokespersons dismissed Soros’ alleged influence as “overblown”.

Soros has often criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the World Economic Platform in Davos, Soros had called for a greater focus on “accountability and liberal democracy” in Modi’s leadership of the country.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had brought the controversy to Parliament in September, alleging a "triangular conspiracy" involving Soros, Rahul Gandhi, and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). Dubey claimed that OCCRP's investigative work, some of which is linked to Soros-funded organisations, was part of a coordinated effort to undermine India's image globally.

Ji-Hyun Yan scored the only South Korean goal that came in the 30th minute of the clash. 

China, meanwhile, have experienced a rollercoaster of results. After a demoralizing 0-3 defeat to India, they bounced back with a 4-2 victory over Malaysia. However, their momentum was short-lived as they faced another loss, this time 2-3 against South Korea.

The accusations also extended to U.S. government agencies like USAID, with Dubey alleging foreign interference in India's internal affairs. The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of meeting "anti-India forces" during his foreign visits, though no concrete evidence was provided to substantiate these claims.

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The controversy took a new turn during the ongoing session after the French investigative outlet Mediapart recently published an exposé detailing how U.S. government funding was channelled to OCCRP via USAID. However, Mediapart explicitly rejected the BJP's interpretation of its findings, stating that its investigation did not mention India or its politicians. The media outlet accused the BJP of twisting its reporting to promote baseless conspiracy theories involving Soros, Gandhi, and U.S. agencies.

The OCCRP also refuted the allegations, calling them "misleading and fabricated." It clarified that while some of its projects received grants from organisations linked to Soros, the funding did not influence its editorial independence.

The U.S. Embassy in India also criticized the ruling party for making such unfounded allegations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining accurate discourse on bilateral relations

The Congress party dismissed the BJP's accusations as a diversionary tactic to avoid addressing pressing issues like unemployment, inflation, and the Adani controversy. Gandhi, speaking during the no-confidence motion debate earlier this year, criticised the government for allegedly protecting Adani and suppressing dissent.

Gandhi's remarks about Soros have been limited, with no direct engagement on the allegations. However, Congress leaders have condemned the BJP's narrative, accusing it of stoking nationalism to silence criticism.

Who is George Soros?

George Soros, 94, is a Hungarian-American financier, philanthropist, and political activist whose life and work have made him a polarizing figure worldwide. His survival of the Holocaust, early years in post-war London, and later success on Wall Street provided him the financial foundation to pursue his ambitious goal: fostering open societies.

Through OSF, Soros has invested over $32 billion in causes ranging from press freedom and minority rights to independent journalism and transparent governance. In some circles, his work has been hailed as a bulwark against authoritarianism. Others, particularly conservative and nationalist leaders, see his efforts as a guise for subverting elected governments.

Soros’s Fraught History with India

India has been a focus for Soros' OSF, particularly in the areas of women’s rights, Dalit upliftment, and press freedom. However, his interventions in the country have been contentious. OSF has supported multiple civil society organizations working in India. Critics argue that these groups often align with opposition forces, indirectly challenging BJP-led policies. Soros-funded entities have been vocal about human rights violations in Kashmir post-Article 370 abrogation, leading to allegations of bias. Finally, Several organizations tied to Soros were accused of funding and amplifying dissent during protests around the Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens sparked nationwide protests.

Other Key Accusations from BJP

Foreign Interference in Democracy: BJP leaders claim that Soros-backed organizations, particularly those focusing on human rights and press freedom, have sought to influence India's political landscape covertly.

Funding Ecosystem: Citing financial disclosures, BJP spokespersons alleged that Indian NGOs receiving funds from Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF) have been involved in anti-government protests and legal actions against controversial policies.

“Colonial Mindset” Accusation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar accused Soros of embodying a “Western colonial mindset,” seeking to impose liberal democratic ideals on nations with complex, diverse systems like India. 

Soros’ advocacy for liberal democracy has earned him both admirers and adversaries across the globe. Soros’ OSF has been accused of meddling in national elections, funding opposition movements, and challenging national sovereignty. Leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have accused Soros of destabilizing their governments, branding him a threat to their regimes. Similarly, nationalist governments in the Philippines and Brazil have lambasted him for his critique of populism. Soros has become a favorite target of far-right conspiracy theories, which falsely claim that he orchestrates mass migration, funds leftist radicalism, or even controls global financial markets.

In India, the BJP’s emphasis on Soros echoes similar strategies seen globally. The approach aligns with its narrative of an “India under siege,” reinforcing its nationalist and populist appeal. However, the opposition contends that this tactic undermines India’s pluralistic democracy by painting civil society actors as anti-national.

 Activists and intellectuals argue that India, as the world’s largest democracy, should embrace diverse perspectives rather than suppress them. “Vilifying Soros distracts from real issues like unemployment and the weakening of institutions,” said a leading Indian political scientist. While the BJP continues to spotlight Soros’ alleged designs on India, the opposition is leveraging the controversy to question the government’s handling of dissent and accountability, while noting that the BJP is avoiding questions regarding the Adani bribery case by bringing up the Soros issue.

The Adani Controversy

The Adani Group, led by Gautam Adanicasinyeam, a perceived ally of Modi, came under scrutiny after a report by U.S.-based short-seller Hindenburg Research accused the conglomerate of financial malpractices. The report caused a sharp decline in Adani's stock value, wiping out billions from the group's market capitalisation. While opposition parties, including Gandhi's Congress, demanded an independent investigation, the BJP framed the criticism as an attack on India's economic sovereignty.