FCRA Department appears to have expanded the definition of 'political activities' given in rule 3. Based on this, it has argued that reimbursing travel and food expenses to volunteers in a dharna (sit-in protest) or a rally out of FCRA funds is violation of FCRA.
Legal validity of this argument is doubtful, as rule 3 does not mention such peaceful protests at all. Rather it uses examples such as rail roko, rasta roko, jail bharo, bandh, etc.
Planning to protest against this at Jantar Mantar? Please make sure all volunteers bring their own water and poori-sabzi with them!
Ref:
1. Sec. 5(1) of FCRA 2010
2. Rule 3 of FCRR 2011
3. 'Quasi Political Organisations', p. 62, AccountAble Handbook on FCRA 2010 at www.AccountAid.net.
4. News report http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/article-3484826/Home-Affairs-Ministry-report-finds-glaring-violations-foreign-funding-used-NGO-Lawyers-Collective.html
Legal validity of this argument is doubtful, as rule 3 does not mention such peaceful protests at all. Rather it uses examples such as rail roko, rasta roko, jail bharo, bandh, etc.
Planning to protest against this at Jantar Mantar? Please make sure all volunteers bring their own water and poori-sabzi with them!
Ref:
1. Sec. 5(1) of FCRA 2010
2. Rule 3 of FCRR 2011
3. 'Quasi Political Organisations', p. 62, AccountAble Handbook on FCRA 2010 at www.AccountAid.net.
4. News report http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/article-3484826/Home-Affairs-Ministry-report-finds-glaring-violations-foreign-funding-used-NGO-Lawyers-Collective.html
