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MHA revokes FCRA on institute that published articles on Manipur, Nagaland, NEP 2020 and more

ByMOKOKCHUNG TIMES

Feb 21, 2024 #FCRA, #MHA, #NGOs

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of the Indian Social Institute (ISI), a prominent think tank, for alleged violations of regulations, as reported by the Economic Times.

Established in 1951, ISI recently gained attention for its critical analysis of the National Education Policy 2020 in its journal, Social Action. The journal had also featured articles on topics such as ‘Peace and Conflict,’ exploring ethnic violence in Manipur, and the “unresolved political aspirations of people of Kashmir and Nagaland.”

Under the FCR Act, NGOs and think tanks are granted licenses for five years, subject to compliance with regulations regarding annual returns and the usage of foreign grants for their designated purposes, as stated by officials quoted in the ET report. Any misappropriation or diversion of foreign funds is considered a breach of the Act.

FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organizations. The law sought to regulate foreign donations to individuals and associations so that they functioned in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic. The law was amended again in 2020, giving the government tighter control and scrutiny over the receipt and utilization of foreign funds by NGOs.

Recognized as a social science journal by the University Grants Commission Consortium for Academic Research and Ethics, ISI holds a significant legacy. The institution was founded by Fr Jerome D’Souza, who played a pivotal role in mediating between the Vatican and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to resolve Portuguese control over Indian churches. Fr D’Souza was also a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly and represented India at the United Nations General Assembly on four occasions.

The revocation of ISI’s FCRA license adds to a series of actions taken by the MHA against several NGOs and think tanks in the past year. Entities like the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, Oxfam India, and Care India have faced measures including license cancellations, suspensions, non-renewals, or expirations under FCRA regulations.

Notably, the recent suspension of activist-author Harsh Mander’s Centre for Equity Studies’ FCRA registration led to CBI searches at his residence. Additionally, the Centre for Policy Research, a 50-year-old think tank, saw its license revoked by the government last month. These developments underscore heightened scrutiny on organizations receiving foreign funding.

MTNews Desk

By MOKOKCHUNG TIMES

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