The court order on Newsclick reinforces the bail-is-the-rule jurisprudence. Yes, justice delayed is justice denied. But it’s better than justice never delivered. Criminalisation of FCRA and money laundering laws and jailing citizens endlessly are eroding public trust in institutions. FCRA is meant to deter terror and subversion, use it sparingly.
BJP CMs miss the point of PM Modi’s austerity appeal. Haryana banning rallies makes no sense
Haryana taking a cue from Maharashtra to deny permission for rallies, roadshows and processions in the name of austerity is irrational and anti-democratic. So is the ban on officials’ personal travels abroad. BJP CMs shouldn’t over-interpret PM Modi’s austerity appeal. Being more loyal than the king serves him no good.
FCRA is not intended to only deter terror and subversion. You are being too clever, Ms. Shailaja Bajpai.
FCRA is a potent weapon in the fight against politically motivated religious conversions of the poor and suffering masses. The commenter ‘ashok’ seems to be oblivious to the fact that the USCIRF has always acted as a frontal organisation (despite being a part of the US govt/administration/politics) for various Christian groups. These Christian groups are particularly invested in the mission to convert Indians to Christianity and thereby increase the ‘flock’. Which, of course, has political ramifications too.
Pt. Nehru made a serious blunder when he accepted Verrier Elwin as his guru on things concerning Indian tribals. Pt. Nehru was naive and generous but unfortunately the same cannot be said of either Elwin or his Christian proselytising groups.
I am from Meghalaya and our family has been here since 1947 – migrated right after partition from Sylhet. Back in the day, hardly a few tribals were Christian – most were Seng Khasi. Seng Khasi is the original religion of the land and is quite similar in practice to some Hindu communities/sects. Unfortunately, Nehru and the Indian state turned a blind eye under the influence of Verrier Elwin while the Christian missionaries – flush with funds from USA, Europe, Australia – kept converting the tribals at a rapid pace. How? Everyone knows that and I need not deliberate on it any further here.
Today the Khasis are overwhelmingly Christian. Similar is the story with other tribal groups in the Northeast. The current Manipur conflict serves as an example of what happens when the demographic balance between religions and ethnicities are disturbed artificially.
Intrigued that FCRA was used against the Missionaries of Charity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio started his four day trip to India by paying his respects to the memory of Mother ( now Saint ) Teresa at its Calcutta headquarters. He also oversees the reports of USCIRF.