Indian investigators conducted raids on the residence of former bureaucrat Harsh Mander and the Centre for Equity Studies (CES) in New Delhi. These raids are based on allegations of financial irregularities under the Foreign Contribution Act. Opposition leaders and activists perceive Mander’s foreign contributions as attempts to establish one-party rule. The timing of these raids suggests a connection to the upcoming general elections.
Apoorvanand, professor of Hindi literature at the University of Delhi, spoke up on Mander’s behalf, claiming, “Mander and the civil society members have been relentlessly hounded by the investigative agencies.” The Indian government made allegations that Mander accepted foreign contributions amounting to nearly $14,000 between 2011 and 2018. Regarding the current controversy, Meenakshi Ganguly, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, commented, “These raids or allegations of financial irregularities seem to have become a norm for the authorities to silence peaceful criticism.”
According to Time Magazine, in recent years, raids have targeted journalists, think tanks, and civil society organizations critical of the Indian government. The target of these raids includes critics charged with criminal cases, financial misconduct, and improper foreign funding. Nevertheless, there are severe consequences as authorities can access all data from offices or personally owned electronic devices. Using raids to silence critics is ineffective as it fails to address the root causes of dissent and undermines the principles of open conversation.
The practice of employing raids and arrests has not been a rare occurrence. On October 3, 2023, authorities in New Delhi apprehended the editor and a staff member of NewsClick. As reported by Human Rights Watch, there were concurrent searches at the residences of 46 journalists affiliated with the digital news platform, citing accusations of illegal foreign funding. Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came to power in 2014, Indian authorities have carried out and continue to experience a crackdown on media and civil society.
In conclusion, opponents of Prime Minister Narendra Modi argue that the recent raids reflect a broader and concerning pattern within the government. It targets political adversaries in the lead-up to important events such as general elections. Urgent calls should be made to Indian authorities to promptly and unconditionally release all individuals, including journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and critics. In addition, there should be growing demand for the dismissal of all charges against these individuals, coupled with a cessation of any forms of threats, harassment, or intimidation, aiming to ensure the protection of free speech, democratic values, and the pursuit of activism and journalism in the country.
