Agitations & NGOs

It is interesting to learn that the Government has frozen the bank accounts of certain Christian NGOs in connection with the proxy agitation against Koodankulam Atomic Project. This has come to light when certain Bishops came out with statements supporting these NGOs and protesting the freeze.

It may be worth recalling the reports that the prolonged agitation against this project has controllers abroad and funding has been from abroad. It is also puzzling as to why quite a few Christian NGOs with access to foreign funds have their fingers in this particular pie. They are ofcourse protesting their innocence. Full and transparent enquiry should bring out facts.

Law, if allowed, will take its own course. As they will try to trace the source of funding, violation of regulations, private benefitting, if any, security implications, violation of charter of intended activities by the recepients, etc.these aspects will and should come under the scanner.

But from a layman point of view , that the media did not report sooner the involvement of religious NGOs is sinister. This news is tumbling out only while reporting the protests of the Bishops, who term it as an attack on minorities.

Another nugget that has been reported is that US sees Vatican as a possible hub of hawala. The State Department's annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report identifies the Holy See as one of the 68 countries or jurisdictions 'of concern' for money laundering or other financial crimes.

As a secular Republic, India should be concerned about religious outfits dabbling in matters of state. Use of foreign funds, if true, to oppose state policies has security implications. As a democracy we are accustomed and welcome individuals, organizations and institutions fighting government policies but this should not degenerate into licence for foreign vested interests, with unlimited funds at their disposal, to derail our policies and developmental efforts.


…ponder