It is ridiculous that a US- based business school has arrogated itself the role of an arbiter of global moral standard setting. The big names in business management education including Wharton in the US could not prevent the collapse of American capitalism and the meltdown of the American economy. That much as far as their professional credentials are concerned.
Wharton Business School's India Economic Forum is a student-centric annual conclave with sponsorship from Indian business groups. Impressed with the development of Gujarat as número uno state in India, and the third successive massive electoral mandate, the organisers invited CM Narendra Modi as one of the key speakers. But surprisingly the invitation was withdrawn on grounds of his human rights violations record as presented by a group of academics. The communal violence in Gujarat leading to loss of many lives could have been arguably averted by the state government. In contrast, millions of innocent people including children were killed in Iraq by American and allied forces.These were deliberately planned human rights violations.
The Wharton conclave organisers ought to have heard Narendra Modi and questioned him on all contentious and controversial issues. That is free speech to be upheld by any institution belonging to a civilised society. There will always be detractors on any matter. But by buckling down under pressure by a group of dissenters ( which is their right ) Wharton Business School has lowered its status. What moral authority it has to teach business ethics to its MBA students when the institution lacks elementary ethics in social relations ?
Wharton Business School's India Economic Forum is a student-centric annual conclave with sponsorship from Indian business groups. Impressed with the development of Gujarat as número uno state in India, and the third successive massive electoral mandate, the organisers invited CM Narendra Modi as one of the key speakers. But surprisingly the invitation was withdrawn on grounds of his human rights violations record as presented by a group of academics. The communal violence in Gujarat leading to loss of many lives could have been arguably averted by the state government. In contrast, millions of innocent people including children were killed in Iraq by American and allied forces.These were deliberately planned human rights violations.
The Wharton conclave organisers ought to have heard Narendra Modi and questioned him on all contentious and controversial issues. That is free speech to be upheld by any institution belonging to a civilised society. There will always be detractors on any matter. But by buckling down under pressure by a group of dissenters ( which is their right ) Wharton Business School has lowered its status. What moral authority it has to teach business ethics to its MBA students when the institution lacks elementary ethics in social relations ?
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