Global Compact expels Indian critic

We have reported several times about the conflict between the Global Compact Society in India and Suresh Pramar, ex-joint secretary of the Society. Last week it escalated. Georg Kell, the executive director of the Global Compact Office, decided to remove Mr. Pramar’s organization, the Global Gandhian Trusteeship and Corporate Responsibility Foundation, from the list of participants in the Compact.

Mr. Pramar keeps a website and a discussion group, which are both called "Hamara Global Compact". He has repeatedly made accusations of abuse of power against Dr. Uddesh Kohli, the coordinator of the Focal Point for the Global Compact in India. In March and May 2009, the Global Compact Society in India sent two letters to Mr. Pramar to counter the accusations. In its last letter to Mr. Pramar, the Society enclosed a list of "facts relating to issues and statements" made by Mr. Pramar. According to the Society, Mr. Pramar should refrain from designating himself as the joint secretary of the Society, because his term as "honorary joint secretary" was not renewed after June 2008. Moreover, the secretary of the Society stated that the allegations constituted "an ill-informed attempt" to "vilify a noble initiative" largely due to Mr. Pramar's personal motivations. This did not stop Mr. Pramar from accusing the Society of irregularities.

On June 29, Mr. Kell urged Mr. Pramar to immediately "cease and desist [the] use of the Global Compact name". In an e-mail to Mr. Pramar, Mr. Kell said: "If you do not stop using our name in this way creating confusion and undermining the Global Compact in India, we will be forced to take further action. Possible actions may include revoking your participant status, requesting assistance of the relevant Global Compact governmental authorities and/or instituting legal proceedings."

A few days later, Mr. Pramar sent a lengthy reply to Mr. Kell, in which he stated that he had not used the logo of the Global Compact and that he had never claimed to be a spokesman of the Global Compact. "Your threat to revoke the membership status of the Global Gandhian Trusteeship Foundation is not going to give us sleepless nights", Mr. Pramar said in his e-mail to Mr. Kell. On July 7, Mr. Kell notified Mr. Pramar that his organization was no longer a participant in the Global Compact: "In light of your last e-mail to me, which indicates that you have no intention of abiding my request to stop using the Global Compact name inappropriately and undermining the initiative in India, we are left with no option but to remove your entity's name from our list of participants. This is effective immediately."

© Photo by Taara.