NGOs Can Receive Foreign Funds Only for Government-Approved Purposes
The Union Home Ministry has amended the rules governing how non-governmental organisations receive foreign money, requiring them to select their stated purpose from a government-prescribed list and barring them from proselytising under several categories of activities eligible for registration.
New FCRA Rule Brings Censorship to NGO Publications
The central government now requires NGOs that receive foreign funding and engage in any form of publication to declare that they do not circulate “news content” — and to obtain a certificate from the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) confirming this. This could amount to the use of financial regulation to curb the speech and advocacy roles of civil society groups.
FCRA License Cancellations Harm the Poor and Vulnerable
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on July 10 revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the parent entity of the non-profit Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA), a group known for its rigorous analysis of financial institutions’ impacts on development, human rights and the environment. The cancellation was ostensibly due to improper financial filings from 2018 and 2019, but Joe Athialy, CFA’s Executive Director, suspects the timing and rationale are politically motivated, aimed at stifling criticism of government policies.
Civil Society Groups Say They Don’t Trust Election Commission
More than 120 civil society organisations convened in Bengaluru city to develop an action plan to safeguard India’s democracy, expressing deep concerns about the Election Commission’s (EC) perceived failures and potential vote manipulation on counting day. The gathering, held under the banner of “Wake up Karnataka,” included activists, former bureaucrats and experts who highlighted the EC's shortcomings and proposed measures for accountability.
Activist Harsh Mander Faces Raids, Legal Woes Over Disputed Report
Peace worker Harsh Mander, a former civil servant, finds himself embroiled in legal conflicts after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) levelled accusations against him in a report, which were subsequently refuted by other statutory bodies and the Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development, according to Article 14.
Newsreel Asia Celebrates Its Third Anniversary
On this World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2024, Newsreel Asia celebrates its third anniversary. Established by a group of journalists determined to enhance editorial content through new technologies, Newsreel Asia has grown into a platform that puts the well-being of ordinary citizens at the forefront of public discourse.
CBI Raid on Activist Harsh Mander Viewed as ‘Witch Hunt’
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids on the premises of Harsh Mander, a human rights activist and former Indian Administrative Service officer, and the Centre for Equity Studies (CES), an organisation he is associated with, on Feb. 2. This action has led to criticism, with many viewing it as a politically motivated attempt to silence one of the government’s most articulate critics.
India’s Civil Society Under Pressure
Two scholars from Germany’s Heidelberg University say their study has found that civil society organisations in India, particularly those championing the rights of minorities, Dalits and Adivasis, are facing intensified state scrutiny and regulatory constraints, a situation resulting in a marked narrowing of the civic space within the country.
When Laws Become Swords
As citizens, we want to believe in the sanctity of our laws. They are meant to serve and protect us. But what happens when the very structure that upholds justice becomes an instrument for silencing voices?