Activist Teesta Setalvad’s NGO registration cancelled by government
In a fresh crackdown on an NGO run by social activist Teesta Setalvad, the government on Thursday cancelled its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence.
The central government cancelled on Thursday the registration of Sabrang Trust run by social activist Teesta Setalvad.
The ministry had earlier temporarily suspended the registration of the non-governmental organistaion under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) that governs the foreign funding of such groups.
The ministry’s order said that during an inspection of the NGO, it emerged that the trust indulged in many activities that were in violation of the FCRA. The home ministry began a comprehensive probe in April 2015 against a number of NGOs including Sabrang.
The ministry said Teesta’s NGO spent an amount of Rs 50 lakh on another company, Sabrang Communications and Publishing Private Limited, which is not registered under the FCRA. The FCRA prohibits activities carried out by Sabrang Communication as self-owned media and publishing company.
Sabrang also transferred an amount of Rs 2.46 lakh from its account designated for receiving foreign funding to its domestic account which again is not allowed and is treated as misutilisation of funding.
“The decision to cancel registration of NGO Sabrang Trust was taken after considering and examining all matters,” a ministry of home affairs source told IANS.
Setalvad and her NGOs are on the forefront of civil society campaign against atrocities committed on Muslims during the Gujarat riots of 2002. Her criticism of the Gujarat government then led by Narendra Modi on the riots issue, resulted in bitter war of word between the activist and the BJP.
