India places US-based Ford Foundation on security watch list, cracks down on foreign NGOs

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The right-wing government headed by Modi has also placed the US-based Ford Foundation on a security watch list, ordering government approval of any of its activities in the country.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Al Jazeera
By Al Jazeera | May 26, 2015

[Excerpts]

Government of PM Modi blocks the bank accounts of 8,975 NGOs, in a move critics say is aimed at stifling dissent.

India's government has cracked down on hundreds of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the environmental watchdog and lobby group, Greenpeace.
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The right-wing government headed by Modi has also placed the US-based Ford Foundation on a security watch list, ordering government approval of any of its activities in the country.
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In a massive clampdown against NGOs, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently cancelled the licenses of 8,975 organisations for allegedly failing to file annual returns.
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Nalin Kohli, a spokesman for the ruling BJP party, told Al Jazeera that Greenpeace was not following the provisions of the law and did not disclose how they obtained their funds.

"The government would not take action against those who work in the interests of India or its citizens," he said.

"This government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not see the environment and industry as inimical to each other. The environment is extremely important and we have to find solutions keeping environmental concerns as well as development and job requirements."

Critics argue the government's decision to restrict the movement of foreign funding to local charities is an attempt to stifle the voices of those who oppose Modi's economic agenda.


Read original post here: India cracks down on Greenpeace and foreign NGOs


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