To,
International
Development Research Centre,
Canada
Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you on behalf of AIDS Bhedbhav Virodhi Andolan
(ABVA), a non-funded, non-party organization working on the issue of fighting
discrimination against those affected by HIV/AIDS and those targeted as the
high risk groups. Canada’s International Development Research Centre had given
a research grant on poverty in India to Mr. Siddharth Dube which helped him in
his research on his book ‘No One Else’ published by HarperCollins Publishers
India in 2015. The said book contains aberrations pertaining to ABVA’s work. It
also attempts to hijack ABVA’s work in the name of Siddhartha Gautam who was a
member of ABVA for a brief period; and violates intellectual property rights of
ABVA. Your organization along with the author and publisher of the said book bears
the moral, ethical and legal responsibility of hijacking a non-funded group’s
work for commercial purposes. Your organization also failed to exercise
due-diligence into the credentials of the author, Mr. Siddharth Dube before
funding him.
A copy of an email dated 26 January, 2016 and legal notice dated
29 February, 2016 sent to Mr. Dube in this regard are attached herewith for
your perusal and necessary action. These are also available at ABVA’s blog at:
Dr. P.S. Sahni
Member, AIDS Bhedbhav Virodhi Andolan
