Page 20 - The Indian EYE 032224

North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

20 MARCH 22, 2024

Faction fighting in AAPI threatens reputation

and unity of prestigious Indian organization

Suspension of Treasurer from AAPI by the executive committee for alleged

irregularities sparks a major controversy

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
crisis is brewing in AAPI, one
of the oldest and most pres-
A tigious organization of Indi-
an-American community in the US. A
controversy around the issues of orga-
nizational elections in the American
Association of Physicians of Indian
Origin threatens to engulf the group
which represents a conglomeration of
more than 80,000 practicing physicians
in the US and also acts as an import-
ant bridge between India and the US.
Though factional bickering is
not unknown in the group founded
in 1982, the latest crisis has taken an
ominous turn.
According to sources in AAPI, AAPI, founded in 1982, represents thousands of physicians in the US
who spoke to The Indian Eye strict-
ly on the condition of anonymity, the suspension are related to the bank ac-
controversy took a dramatic turn counts and payments, said the source,
when Dr Sreeni Gangasani, the trea- adding that in her response to Dr Gan-
surer of AAPI, shot an email to all the gasani’s mass email, Anjana Samad-
executive committee (EC) members der, President of AAPI, has accused
following his suspension from the or- him of “continuous bullying” through
ganization for alleged irregularities. phone calls, emails and in person.
Earlier, the sources said, the In her response, said the source,
Ethics and Grievance Committee of Dr Samadder has also denied that ac-
AAPI held a meeting on March 3, 2024 tion was taken against Gangasani in
to discuss the misconduct of Dr Gan- an improper manner. Dr Gangasani
gasani and unanimously recommend- was given ample opportunities to
ed suspension of his AAPI member- present his side but he ignored all the
ship. Based on the recommendation deadlines, the AAPI president is be-
of ethics committee, an emergency lieved to have written in her email to
meeting was held by the executive Dr Gangasani, said the source.
committee of AAPI. In the meeting Dr Anjana Samadder, Dr Sreeni Gangasani, the former treasurer The issue surrounding the sus-
held on March 3, 2024, Dr Gangasani pension of Dr Gangasani is not the
was suspended as AAPI member by the president of AAPI who has been suspended only issue plaguing the organization
the majority of Executive Committee founded in 1982. On March 7, 2024,
(EC) of AAPI, according to sources. access to facts and proceedings”. his side of the story and only “relying request for an emergency temporary
The AAPI governing body has not According to a highly-placed on non-factual information”. restraining order (TRO) moved by
issued a public statement on the devel- source in the organization, Dr Gan- In the mail, said the source strict- some members was denied by Arbi-
opments within the organization as yet. gasani sent a strongly-worded email ly speaking on the condition of ano- trator John C Griffin.
According to a source, following to all EC and some other AAPI mem- nymity, Dr Gangasani has demanded With elections for AAPI execu-
his suspension, Gangasani expressed bers in which he accused the members a “full and fair investigation” into the tive committee due this year, the rag-
his “deep disappointment and frustra- of EC and Ethics and Grievance com- matter and a reversal of the decision ing controversy threatens to dent the
tion with the decision to wrongfully” mittee of taking away his “fundamen- to suspend him immediately. image of one of the most prominent
approve his suspension “without full tal rights” and “denying to provide” The controversy and Gangasani’s Indian organizations in the US.

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