Congress leader vows strong protest against proposed FCRA, delimitation Bills
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday said the Congress and other opposition parties would strongly protest the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill if
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday said the Congress and other opposition parties would strongly protest the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill if the Centre brought it to Parliament. He said the opposition would not allow what he called an unconstitutional and anti-people bill to be passed. Venugopal also asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to answer questions on the use of force against students during protests over the NEET paper leak. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah of avoiding questions and staying away from Parliament for fear of facing them. Read Full Story Speaking to reporters, the Alappuzha MP said, "If the Central Government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves." He alleged that the proposed law targeted minorities and NGOs.
He said, "Even if Amit Shah comes to pass this anti-people bill, there is no doubt that he will have to face strong protests in Parliament. This bill is unconstitutional and anti-people. We will not allow such an anti-people and unconstitutional bill to be passed." On the protests over the NEET paper leak, he said that when students ask who ordered the use of pellet guns, lathi charges and tear gas shells against them to suppress their protest, Amit Shah would not come forward to answer. Venugopal also questioned the alleged foreign funding received by organisations linked to the RSS while objecting to proposed restrictions on NGOs receiving funds under the FCRA. "If you have the courage, try controlling the RSS," he said, alleging that organisations operating lawfully under the FCRA would be targeted by the proposed law.
On the proposed delimitation Bill, Venugopal said it would hurt states that had successfully implemented population-control measures. "This bill effectively chokes states that have successfully implemented population control," he said. He added that several southern states, northeastern states, Punjab and Odisha had learned from their experience in population control and asked whether a government concerned with India's integrity would bring such a law. Asked about the delay in arresting RSS ideologue TG Mohandas over an alleged defamatory statement on the protest against the NEET paper leak, Venugopal said that after an FIR is registered, an investigation must follow and appropriate action should be taken. "Filing an FIR means an investigation has to take place. These RSS people think that they rule this entire country and the whole world, and that they can say anything," he said.
The BriefWire