The Centre announced that any NGO involved in anti-developmental activities and religious conversions will face cancellation of their registration under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010. A notice issued on November 8 by Director (FCRA) K Sanjayan said that any NGO whose acceptance of foreign funding may affect social or religious harmony will face cancellation of its FCRA registration.“
The notice said, “If an NGO has diverted foreign contribution for carrying out anti-development activities or inciting malicious protests, field inquiry has revealed the likelihood of personal gain by the organisation or by the office-bearers, or the foreign contribution is likely to have been utilised for undesirable activities, linkage with terrorist organisations or anti-national organisations, key functionaries have links with terrorist or radical organisations, their FCRA registration would be cancelled”.
It added, “If any field agency has reported adverse inputs against the NGO and its acceptance of foreign funding is likely to affect social, religious harmony or is involved in induced, forceful religious conversion or proselytisation or its office-bearers have linkage with radical organisations, the organisation will also face action under the FCRA”.
The directive comes amid a growing debate over the influence of foreign-funded NGOs in India. Proponents of the government’s decision argue that foreign contributions are sometimes diverted to fund activities aimed at obstructing crucial national projects, including infrastructure, healthcare and energy initiatives. Over the past decades, multiple intances have emerged of litigations and protests, reportedly funded through FCRA channels, resulting in the delay or cancellation of significant developmental projects. The government’s focus on anti-development activities specifically targets NGOs that allegedly use foreign funds to halt or delay such projects.
For example, high-profile projects like hydroelectric dams, power plants, and major highway constructions have faced opposition from certain NGOs. Some critics argue that such opposition aligns with foreign interests that may not prioritise India’s developmental needs. This new FCRA regulation is seen as a response to address the perceived misuse of foreign contributions by curtailing the influence of organisations deemed detrimental to national progress.
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