The US-based Ford Foundation has also been put on the ‘watch list’ by the home ministry
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: AP)
New Delhi: The United States on Wednesday hit out at the Narendra Modi government over punitive action against NGOs, saying those who worked peacefully in pursuit of change were not anti-government and were not trying to weaken national security.
US ambassador Richard Verma said that in a democracy citizens had an “inalienable right” to argue peacefully and ask questions or challenge laws. “I read with some concern recent press reports on challenges faced by NGOs operating in India. Because a vibrant civil society is so important to both of our democratic traditions, I do worry about the potentially chilling effects of these regulatory steps focused on NGOs,” Mr Verma said while speaking on the US-India strategic relationship at Ananta Aspen Institute, a think tank.
In a crackdown on NGOs, allegedly getting illegal foreign funds, the government had last month cancelled licences of nearly 9,000 such entities for violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. America’s Ford Foundation was put on a home ministry “watch list”.
The US-based Ford Foundation has also been put on the ‘watch list’ by the home ministry, which directed that funds coming from the international donor should not be released without permission.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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