Hyderabad-Based Legal Rights Protection Forum
he Hyderabad-based Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has lodged a formal complaint against two foreign-funded NGOs—the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore and the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council—citing violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The complaint, addressed to the Joint Secretary and Director of the FCRA division in the Ministry of Home Affairs, also copies Home Minister Amit Shah.
In its letter, LRPF alleges that these NGOs have violated FCRA provisions by promoting a specific political ideology, supporting political parties aligned with this ideology, and engaging in propaganda against the Government of India. The complaint further accuses the NGOs of attempting to influence voters on religious grounds against the ruling political party at the Centre.
“We are bringing to your kind attention the matter of FCRA violation of the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore and Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council by involving publication activities which are political and against the interests of the Government in nature,” the letter states.
The Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore, registered under the FCRA with number 075900245, and the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council, registered with FCRA number 076040254, are both societies under the Ministry of Home Affairs. George Antonysamy, the Archbishop of Madras Mylapore, is identified as the Chief Functionary for both entities.
According to the LRPF, these NGOs have received significant foreign funds from global church organizations for purported social, religious, and educational activities. However, the LRPF alleges that these funds are also being used to promote political ideologies and conduct anti-government propaganda through their publications.
The letter highlights that the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore publishes an English fortnightly magazine named “The New Leader.” The magazine, described as the official publication of the Archdiocese, is accused of propagating a particular political ideology and influencing the Christian community to follow it. The official website of “The New Leader” describes it as a national Catholic fortnightly that covers news about the Pope, the Vatican, and Catholicism, both globally and in India.
“The New Leader” is portrayed as a vehicle for disseminating political ideologies under the guise of religious and educational news, thus violating FCRA guidelines which prohibit the use of foreign contributions for political purposes.
Link to the official website of ‘The New Leader’: https://thenewleader.in/about-us.html
In its letter, LRPF alleges that these NGOs have violated FCRA provisions by promoting a specific political ideology, supporting political parties aligned with this ideology, and engaging in propaganda against the Government of India. The complainant further accuses the NGOs of attempting to influence voters on religious grounds against the ruling political party at the Centre.
“We are bringing to your kind attention the matter of FCRA violation of the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore and Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council by involving publication activities which are political and against the interests of the Government in nature,” the letter states.
The Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore, registered under the FCRA with number 075900245, and the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council, registered with FCRA number 076040254, are both societies under the Ministry of Home Affairs. George Antonysamy, the Archbishop of Madras Mylapore, is identified as the Chief Functionary for both entities.
According to the LRPF, these NGOs have received significant foreign funds from global church organizations for purported social, religious, and educational activities. However, the LRPF alleges that these funds are also being used to promote political ideologies and conduct anti-government propaganda through their publications.
The letter highlights that the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore publishes an English fortnightly magazine named “The New Leader.” The magazine, described as the official publication of the Archdiocese, is accused of propagating a particular political ideology and influencing the Christian community to follow it. The official website of “The New Leader” describes it as a national Catholic fortnightly that covers news about the Pope, the Vatican, and Catholicism, both globally and in India.
The LRPF pointed out that the content of the magazine has not been reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs, nor has a certificate been submitted. This omission raises concerns about compliance with FCRA regulations.
Further allegations include attempts by George Antonysamy to influence voters on religious grounds during the recent Lok Sabha elections, urging them not to re-elect the current government. The complaint claims that Antonysamy’s editorial in “The New Leader” was aimed at creating fear among Christian voters and promoting a sense of victimhood.
In the editorial, Antonysamy allegedly accused the Union Government of destroying India’s diversity by imposing a single religion, language, and culture. He criticized the government for branding Christians and Muslims as anti-nationals, attacking their fundamental rights, and enacting laws detrimental to minorities. He also accused the government of neglecting southern states in tax distribution and working against social justice by reserving 10% of opportunities for upper castes.
“We are bringing to your kind attention the matter of FCRA violation of the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore and Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council by involving publication activities which are political and against the interests of the Government in nature,” the letter states.
The Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore and the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council, both registered under the FCRA, are headed by George Antonysamy, the Archbishop of Madras Mylapore. The LRPF claims that these NGOs have received significant foreign funds purportedly for social, religious, and educational activities but are allegedly using these funds to promote political ideologies and conduct anti-government propaganda through their publications.
The letter specifically highlights “The New Leader,” an English fortnightly magazine published by the Archdiocese, which the LRPF claims propagates a particular political ideology and influences the Christian community. The magazine is described on its official website as a national Catholic fortnightly covering news about the Pope, the Vatican, and Christian churches globally and in India.
“It is apparent from the content of the above said magazine that the Archdiocese did not submit such a certificate to the Ministry of Home Affairs or even inform such activity of publication of the magazine on behalf of Jesus Redeems. This issue needs to be verified,” the letter points out.
The LRPF also accuses George Antonysamy of attempting to influence voters on religious grounds during the recent Lok Sabha elections by appealing not to re-elect the current government. The letter claims Antonysamy’s editorial in “The New Leader” aimed to create fear among Christian voters and foster a sense of victimhood.
In the editorial, Antonysamy allegedly accused the Union Government of undermining India’s diversity by imposing a single religion, language, and culture. He criticized the government for branding Christians and Muslims as anti-nationals and for attacking their fundamental rights. The editorial also accused the government of neglecting southern states in tax distribution and working against social justice.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=dcd9fb285f&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1803023245494780108&th=1905a016c57d00cc&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=f_lxx3eozl1
The LRPF’s complaint further states that politicians from a particular party, sharing a similar ideology, have met with George Antonysamy before and after the Lok Sabha elections, with the agenda of these meetings kept secret.
The LRPF urges an inquiry into the activities of the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore and the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council and calls for serious action under the provisions of the FCRA. The Ministry of Home Affairs has yet to respond to the complaint, and further developments are awaited.
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