Opposition leaders on Friday accused the government of pursuing vindictive politics by “selectively” cancelling the foreign funding licences of NGOs that are critical of its policies. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they asked the Centre to not “bully the NGOs”, urging it to reconsider the decision to withdraw the registration of a number of them under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, reported PTI.
The letter was written a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled the foreign funding licences of seven organisations, including Act Now for Harmony and Democracy, Marwar Muslim Education and Welfare Society, Navsarjan Trust and Rural Development Research Centre.
On Wednesday, the FCRA licence of activist Teesta Setalvad’s Citizens for Justice and Peace was withdrawn, a day after it was “inadvertently” renewed. The government had claimed there were “adverse intelligence inputs” against these organisations, according to The Indian Express. It further alleged that these NGOs had worked against public interest and showcased the Centre as “anti-Dalit” overseas.
In the letter to the prime minister, the Opposition parties said the licences had been renewed earlier following usual procedures. “The decision to cancel their registration is, therefore, motivated by the politics of vendetta and victimisation and are an effort to bully them to silence,” read the note.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!