BRIG HEMANT MAHAJAN NATIONAL SECURITY

Misuse Of Foreign Funds For Anti India Activities: Do We Really Care?

Source: News Bharati      Date: 3/2/2012 4:16:06 PM

New Delhi, March 2: We never expected but Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has got one stand right. At last, he has initiated the issue of the NGOs which receive foreign funds and misuse it against developmental activities.

Recently, Prime minister stated that, “American NGOs are funding the protests that hold India back from building the nuclear reactors it needs to meet fast-growing energy needs”. Dr. Manmohan Singh said this in an interview published in Science magazine on Friday, 17 February. Among the plants suffering delays is the Kudankulam power station, which was due to open last year. Progress on the reactor has been halted by protesters over safety fears.

Prime Minister has said that, “The atomic energy programme has got into problems because these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply”. Prime Minister also blamed protests against genetically modified crops on groups he said were funded from the United States and Scandinavian countries.

After Prime Ministers verbal attack on NGOs and misuse of foreign funds, a debate has started in India. The Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded that the Centre come out with a ‘white paper’ on the issue of non-governmental organizations getting foreign funds and “working against public interest.”

Misuse of foreign funds against National Interest is not a new concept. Entire Catholic mission has propelled its Conversion movement entirely on foreign funds. Some so called and self proclaimed Rights activists have gain name and fame on such foreign funds working relentlessly against the nations interest.

The latest report of the Home Ministry showed that more than Rs10,000 crore was sent to India during 2009-2010, mostly from the USA and Europe to NGOs in India. The report says that while it is not proper to make sweeping generalisations, it is necessary to note that the NGO sector in India is vulnerable to the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing. “Therefore, necessary steps for rigorous enforcement as well as coordination with foreign countries for law enforcement will continue. Our efforts for coordination with State police organisations and other specialised organisations will also continue towards this direction,” the report said.

The report, approved by Union Home Secretary RK Singh in January 2012, revealed that major donors from abroad and receivers in India are Christian Missionaries and Church-sponsored NGOs. “The list of foreign donors is topped by the Gospel For Asia Inc of the USA (Rs232.71 crore) followed by Fundacion Vicente Ferrer, Barcelona, Spain (Rs228.60 crore) and the World Vision Global Centre of the USA (Rs197.62 crore),” said the report of Home Ministry on foreign contribution and regulation for the period of year 2009-2010.

These three are evangelical organisations. The fourth largest donor, Compassion International, is also from the US (Rs131.57 core) and belongs to the same category.

The India Today, in its story ‘Freelancers of God - Independent churches mushroom across India attracting foreign funds’ (published on 9 May 2011) has given an account of indian Christian missionaries who are propelling their ‘work’ to convert Hindus to Christianity with the help of foreign funds.

The India Today story says that, “The preachers are not trained in theology. They often play with the sentiments of people and lure them with incentives and create communal tension. Most new pastors work among Dalits in the region. They also widely use faith-healing methods, which are not popular among mainstream churches. Political parties such as the Congress and the Akali Dal have refused to make conversions a controversy and the VHP and Bajrang Dal have accused both parties of playing to the Christian vote bank.”

Senior French journalist and writer Francois Gautier reveals in his article that, “The foreign funds sent for Gospel cause has a huge but obscure impact. Out of seven states in North East India four have absolute control of the Church. Most of the North East subversive groups / Terrorist outfits including Maoists have definite connection with Evangelical groups. 45% of non-arab foreign funds coming to India are utilized through Churches for conversion and camouflaging services, while 40% Arab foreign funds are coming to boost up Jihad and Islamic services. Christian Fathers and nuns are living most lavish life in India by utilizing the money collected from overseas in the name of service to the poor people of the third world.”

Francois Gautier has busted the myths of the so called ‘social and human rights activists like Medha patkar. In his article ‘The Truth about Medha Patkar’, Gautier has given a reference of letter of Dr Urmilaben Patel, member of the Congress Working Committee, written to Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister for External Affairs. Patel wrote that, “You are kindly aware, that Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) headed by Medha Patkar is actively involved in opposing all hydro projects in India. I have recently received material which I find quite disturbing. I specifically draw your attention into the message of Ms. Patkar using the words of "pressurizing the UPA government", and "honouring" a Supreme Court Judge for a favourable verdict, as is explicit in the emails.”

Gautier gives details of exchange of confidential emails between Patkar and Patrick McCully, Ex. Director, International Rivers Network (IRN) based at Berkeley (United States). This mail conversation exposes how Patkar ‘reports’ to Patrick every details of the case and which Judge ‘favoured’ her and should be ‘honoured’ at a function in London.

Gautier writes, “She also sends a soft copy of the judgment and the profiles of Justice C K Thakker and Justice Altamas Kabir. Patrick reverts on July 17 congratulating Patkar, and suggesting that five or six people associated with managing "this verdict" be honoured at a function in London (UK). The mail says: "...We must honour Judge Kabir for supporting you. Please explore the possibility. He will retire in 2013 - a very useful man for your future battles.”

It might be mentioned that the verdict was written by hon'ble Justice Kabir, says Gautier. No need to explain more on this nexus and face off of Medha Patkar. It seems that Patkar has received several international awards for fighting ‘battle’ for unknown foreign hands. India populace is totally ignorant about these kinds of facts.

It is always demanded to inspect the income source of the infamous Teesta Setalvad and her NGO ‘Citizen for Justice and Peace’. Teesta Setalvad is always been in clouds of mystery for her activities and how she raised funds for her NGO and how does she managed expenses of providing legal help and from which source, she got money to lure witnesses for the cases against Narendra Modi in Gujarat riots. Her bank statements with specific details are out suggesting how Setalvad allegedly used money to buy witnesses and how through manipulative activities, false submission before different probe panels and courts were allegedly filed. Again the pointer turns to the source of foreign funds. But no one wants make understand the fact.

No scope for Indian Media to escape in case of foreign funding issue. Gospels of Charity in Spain, Southern Baptist Church, World Christian Council, St. Peters Pontifical Church Melbourne, Joshua Society, Berne , Switzerland are some of the sponsorers which funds major Indian Media which ‘speaks for’ secularism and human rights in India.

The analysis of the Home Ministry’s 42-page report shows that 14,233 NGOs received foreign contribution of Rs10,337.59 crore. The biggest fund inflow to NGOs has come from the USA (Rs3,105.73 crore) followed by Germany (Rs1,046.30 crore) and the UK (Rs1,038.68 crore). These three countries have topped in the donors’ list of Home Ministry for many years.

As per the report, most the funding has been generated from Christian missionaries of USA, Germany and UK and the donor missionaries have also formed their Indian subsidiaries. The other toppers come from Italy (Rs583.47 crore), the Netherlands (Rs509.46 crore), Spain (Rs437.25 crore) Switzerland (Rs302.06 crore), Canada (Rs297.98 crore), France (Rs189.12 crore) and Australia (Rs148.28). The eleventh big donor to Indian NGOs is from UAE with Rs133.15 crore.

According to MHA figures, the funding for Christian mission agencies has shown a regular increase. Also, over 80 percent of the voluntary organisations receiving foreign funds are Christian Mission agencies. “The highest amount of foreign contribution was received by the World Vision of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Rs 208.94 crore).

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was passed in 1976. This act regulates receipt of funds by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It is managed by the Union ministry of home affairs. It is very easy for the Home Ministry to track the foreign funds and their channels in the country.

Prime minister’s remarks have sparked the battle against the Misuse of Foreign Funds for anti India activities. This battle should continue and each individual, organization should be made answerable for the source and its expenses.