Idukki (Kerala), Apr 5 (PTI) Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to amend the FCRA to attack Christian institutions, NGOs and civil society working in the field of public and social welfare.
Kharge, at a UDF public meeting in Idukki assembly constituency, said the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) shows the real intent of the BJP and Modi.
“It is not a reform. It is an attack, not just on Christian institutions, but on civil society, NGOs and poor institutions which are getting funds to improve people’s lives,” he said.
He said that just like the amendments to the Waqf Act created fear among the Muslims, the proposed changes to the FCRA have made the Christian community apprehensive.
“This is not governance, it is selective targeting of the society,” he said and assured that the Congress will stand as a wall against any injustice by the BJP and Modi.
The FCRA Amendment Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, seeks to enhance transparency and ensure proper utilisation of foreign funds, while preventing their misuse against national security and interests.
In his speech, Kharge said that winds of change were blowing in Kerala and the Congress-led UDF was certain to form government after the elections.
He also asserted that the BJP was not going to win a single seat in the Assembly polls on April 9, as people of Kerala are well aware and educated enough to understand the saffron party’s “communal and divisive designs”.
Kharge also slammed the LDF, alleging that under its governance the state debt reached nearly Rs 6 lakh crore from Rs 1.57 lakh crore in 2016, unemployment rate reached 30 per cent — three times the national average and highest in India, corruption increased and gold was stolen from the Sabarimala shrine.
“It is all indicative of the failure of the government,” he contended.
According to him, farmers, fishermen, small traders and many others feel abandoned, welfare schemes are either delayed or poorly implemented and rising debt, visionless governance and shrinking opportunities have pushed the state into uncertainty and hopelessness.
Referring to thousands of families, facing wildlife attacks, in the area, he said they are still not having land titles for the land they have lived on for generations, and assured that the Congress would simplify laws and ensure every deserving family receives its ‘pattayam’.
He also assured “proper protection, quick response and adequate compensation” to those living in the high-range areas in fear of attacks by elephants and wild boars.
Kharge futher assured that hospitals will be upgraded in the area and tourism will be developed in a manner that benefits the common people.
“Change is coming. You be ready, and if you all support, definitely Congress will come… 100 per cent this time”, he said, adding, “today, after our strong victory in local body elections across Idukki, it is clear- the people are shifting towards the UDF”.
He urged the people to support the Congress and the UDF to strengthen democracy and bring a government that works for the public, including women, youth, Dalits and backward sections of society.
“Let us together build Kerala as a prosperous, learned, peaceful and progressive state in the country,” he said. PTI HMP ROH
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