This is a letter to the editor of The Montgomery News–a monthly newspaper published in Montgomery, New Jersey–regarding the case of Sadaf Jaffer that was mentioned here a week ago. If printed, the letter will appear in the February issue. Ms Jaffer’s comment appears at minute 16:30 of this video. 

Dear Editor:

I’m writing to draw attention to comments made at the January 7 meeting of the Montgomery Township Committee by former mayor Sadaf Jaffer, also the former chair of Montgomery’s Democratic Organization.

On that occasion, Ms Jaffer asserted that she was told by Mayor Neena Singh and Deputy Mayor Vince Barragan that Montgomery Township was being denied county and state funds in retaliation for views Ms Jaffer had expressed on U.S. and Israeli policy in Gaza. Ms Jaffer was then asked to resign her position as Chair of Montgomery’s Democratic Organization so that the Township might receive the denied funds. I am in possession of an audio file in which Mr Barragan makes this demand. To my knowledge, no one has contested the facts as Ms Jaffer has presented them.

Given this, Mayor Singh’s and Deputy Mayor Barragan’s demand represents an egregious and so-far uncontested abuse of power. Public funds cannot justifiably be withheld in retaliation for legally protected speech, and participation in a scheme to withhold them is unconscionable. Ms Jaffer is right to demand accountability: the public is entitled to know who originated the threats in question, and is entitled to a public affirmation by the Committee not to acquiesce in such threats in the future.

This is no longer a matter internal to Montgomery Township. The practice in question threatens political speech across the board, and subverts any reasonable conception of public accountability across the state. It’s reasonable for any resident of this state, whether from Montgomery or not, to demand better from Montgomery’s elected officials. It won’t suffice to hide behind blank faces, empty smiles, and obvious evasions. We need answers.

Irfan Khawaja