Questioning his internationally acclaimed credentials and suggesting that he was working in “chemical warfare and bioterrorism,” the United States has refused an entry visa to Professor Goverdhan Mehta, former director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and one of the world’s top scientists in organic chemistry. This despite the fact that Mehta, a member of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Scientific Advisory Committee, has been to the US 20 times, the most recent being May 2005 when he delivered a lecture at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. And in 2004, when he participated in the Indo-US S&T Forum Governing body meeting under the aegis of the White House. “This is the most degrading experience of my life,” Mehta told The Indian Express, “it’s reminiscent of the (current) American ignorance and arrogance.” Mehta has informed the university declining its invitation. Mehta applied for the visa in Chennai after he was invited as a visiting professor by the University of Florida at Gainesville, and for a lecture at the American Chemical Society. On February 9, Mehta appeared for the visa interview. He said he was “repeatedly humiliated” by the consular officer who accused him of “hiding things” suggesting that Mehta’s work related to chemical warfare and bioterrorism. Look who’s a threat to the US
