3 weeks ago
Chavan: FCRA bill's sole purpose is targeting NGOs, one religion
A very important leader in India, named Prithviraj Chavan, talked about a new law called the FCRA bill.
He said the law would stop charities from getting money from people in other countries.
Chavan said that is bad because rich people and foreigners like to give money to help good causes around the world.
He also said the law seems meant to hurt one particular religion.
Another leader, Devendra Fadnavis, said the law is needed to stop groups that do bad things against the country.
Chavan said the government already has laws to punish bad groups, so there is no need for the new law.
Some Christian church groups also asked the government to change its mind about the law.
Chavan also talked about a plan to change how many members sit in the Indian Parliament.
He said the plan is unfair and would make it hard for anyone to speak.
He said the ruling party, the BJP, wants too much power.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan alleged the FCRA Amendment Bill's sole purpose is to stop funding to NGOs, scuttle the philanthropy movement, and target a particular religion.
Chavan said the government already has laws to prosecute organisations if there is proof of wrongdoing and accused it of trying to 'finish the NGO sector.'
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the amendment was necessary to curb anti-national activities by some organisations.
In June, the government notified amended FCRA rules excluding proselytisation from several registration-eligible categories, and Christian groups including the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) appealed for a rollback.
Chavan also opposed the proposed delimitation bill, warning that the federal balance should not be disturbed and accusing the BJP of seeking a two-thirds majority in Parliament in the name of delimitation.
- Who
- Prithviraj Chavan, former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader; Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis; and Christian organisations including the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).
- What
- Chavan alleged the FCRA Amendment Bill's sole purpose is to stop NGO funding, scuttle philanthropy, and target a particular religion, and he opposed the proposed delimitation bill.
- Where
- Nagpur, India.
- When
- August 10 (Monday); the amended FCRA rules were notified in June this year.
- Why
- Chavan says the bill would destroy the NGO sector and target a religion, while the government says it is needed to curb anti-national activities.
Opposition (Congress)
Government (BJP)
FCRA Amendment Bill
Opposition (Congress)
Chavan says its sole purpose is to stop NGO funding, scuttle the philanthropy movement, and target a particular religion; the government already has laws to prosecute wrongdoing.
Government (BJP)
Fadnavis says the bill is necessary to curb anti-national activities by some organisations.
Delimitation Bill and Parliament size
Opposition (Congress)
Chavan opposes any change to the existing ratio and any increase in the number of MPs, warning that the federal balance should not be disturbed.
Government (BJP)
According to Chavan's accusation, the BJP is pushing the bill and trying to obtain a two-thirds majority in Parliament in the name of delimitation.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Prithviraj Chavan, former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader
- Subject
- FCRA Amendment Bill and proposed Delimitation Bill
- Date
- August 10 (Monday)
- Location
- Nagpur
- Chavan's allegation
- Bill's sole purpose is to stop NGO funding, scuttle philanthropy, and target a particular religion
- Government's defence
- Necessary to curb anti-national activities by some organisations (Devendra Fadnavis)
- FCRA rules (June)
- Amended rules exclude proselytisation from several registration-eligible categories; Christian groups including the CBCI appealed for a rollback
- Delimitation Bill
- Constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament
Quotes
Prithviraj Chavan
Former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader
“If nothing wrong is happening, let it continue. But to change the entire law by saying that these people are promoting conversions, and that this bill has been introduced to target a particular community, is wrong”
theprint.in
“Their grand plan to move in the direction of a Hindu Rashtra and to bring back Manusmriti. They want a free rein”
theprint.in
Sources
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