The day after the government cancelled the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s (RGF) and Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust’s (RGCT) Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) licences, Congress slammed the government, saying it recycled old charges against the two NGOs just to defame and divert public attention away from issues of day-to-day concern to them.
In a statement, Congress general secretary, in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said that the economy is in a deep crisis caused by spiralling prices, galloping unemployment and a falling rupee.
“The Bharat Jodo Yatra has evoked a huge public response. People are fed up with the politics of hate and divisiveness. What is the response of the Prime Minister and Home Minister?” he asked.
Slamming the government, Ramesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, said that over the Deepavali weekend, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled the FCRA registrations of both the RGF and the RGCT.
“They recycled old charges against the RGF and RGCT. This is to defame and divert public attention from issues of day-to-day concern to them,” he said.
The Congress leader said that the people of India are aware that the RGF was established in 1991 after the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who stood for the ideas of – Sadbhavana, both among all Indians and with other nations; inclusive and sustainable development of India using science and technology, including IT and Telecom; empowerment of women and youth and local self-government at the Panchayat, district and municipal levels and relief to those affected by natural disasters, floods, drought, violence, and those with disabilities.
“The RGF has been working since its inception to promote these ideas through development programmes in various parts of India. Lakhs of people, including children, youth, women, and the disabled, have benefited from the programmes of these trusts,” he said.
The action of the government against both organisations came after investigations carried out by an inter-ministerial committee formed by the home ministry in 2020.
Outgoing Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of RGF, while other trustees include former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Ramesh said, “The trusts have always been purely charitable and comply with all laws and regulations. All statutory requirements for audit, programme activity and financial disclosure, and the filing of returns have been scrupulously followed every year by the Trusts. The background for the cancellation of the FCRA registration should be obvious to anyone who understands the nature of the present dispensation.”
“The RGF and RGCT will, of course, be responding to the charges hurled at them and take whatever action it deems appropriate legally. Their activities are completely open and transparent. They have rendered yeoman public service,” Ramesh said.