JOIN USUS seeks clarification on Ford Foundation, Greenpeace watch
The government action against the Greenpeace and the Ford Foundation has attracted international community’s attention with a “concerned” United States seeking “clarification” from India on the matter.
Marie Harf, the acting spokesperson of the US State Department, said in Washington that they “remain concerned about the difficulties” caused to civil society organisations by the manner in which the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA) has been applied.
“Well, we are aware that the Ministry of Home Affairs suspended the registration of Greenpeace India and has placed the Ford Foundation on a prior permission watch list. We are concerned that this recent ruling limits a necessary and critical debate within Indian society, and we are seeking a clarification on this issue with the appropriate Indian authorities,” she said. Her comments came after the Union Home Ministry blocked foreign funds to Greenpeace and sought response as to why it’s registration should not be cancelled.
The Ministry also put Ford Foundation under watch as ordered that all funds coming from the international organisation have to be routed only with its nod .
BJP leader Nalin Kohli questioned the US response, saying it is India’s internal matter and the US has no business seeking a clarification on the issue.
“I don't know if the US government is in any right or any position to demand a clarification from the government of India. Something that is completely an internal matter of India. Therefore, I don’t see any case there,” Kohli said.
Congress MP Mani Shankar Aiyar said that it was “absolutely shocking” that an organisation like the Ford Foundation had been targeted by the NDA government.
“It was a major contributor to green revolution in the country,” he said. In a statement, the Greenpeace India said the arbitrary actions by the Home Ministry are turning out to be a “major international embarrassment” and it will undermine India’s standing in the global community of democratic nations.
“We have been saying all along that the clampdown on dissenting voices by the Home Ministry is against what Indian democracy stands for. The ministry is creating an ‘emergency’ like situation and Indian civil society is already coming together to question this ‘my way or highway’ attitude of the government,” Samit Aich, Executive Director of Greenpeace India, said.
“It is hardly surprising that the government’s actions are now starting to attract international attention. India is right now seeking a far more active role on the global stage. Such actions back home will only weaken India’s global image," he said.