Latest reports suggest that Canadian government’s funds, allocated for anti-Bharat activities, have also come to Kerala. It also says that 4,000 dollars have been received from Canada, as sponsorship, by the organisers of the Cutting South sans the permission of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. It was reportedly executed on the basis of the sponsorship contract with the Canadian High Commission. This is revealed from the Right To Information reply “Janam” Malayalam TV got from Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The Principal sponsor of the Cutting South, organised in Kochi in March 2023, was Kerala Media Academy, the Government of Kerala-controlled media school in the state. Media houses like New Minute and News Laundry were sponsors too. They had entered into 4,000 dollars agreement with Canadian High Commissioner. Media Academy had claimed that Rs 44 lakhs had been spent for the programme. Then the question arises how come New Minute and News Laundry entered into the contract with the Canadian High Commissioner. There are reports that central agencies are going to enquire into the controversial funds. Because, the same Canada supports and funds Khalistan secessionists.
Foreign Affairs Ministry’s approval is required before accepting funds under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Union Government enjoys the power to take actions against the institutions which accept foreign funds in illegitimate manner.
The FCRA rules were made more stringent since Narendra Modi regime took over in 2014. Afterwards, union government cancelled the registration of several agencies for availing foreign funds sans meeting legal requirements.
The Cutting South programme was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Minister P Rajeev was the Chief Guest. Special Guest was VD Satheesan, Leader of the opposition and Congress leader. Kerala Media Academy Chairman R.S. Babu presided. Chief minister inaugurated the conclave virtually. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the very existence of the media was facing threat.
The Cutting South was controversial even before it was launched. The Conclave had allegedly put forward an idea that southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra and Telengana should be go separate from Akhand Bharat. Their initial design was to involve VIPs in the programme. But, as soon as the idea was exposed, all of them withdrew. But, when the controversy arose, Media Academy tried to escape by renaming the programme as Global Media Summit.
Pinarayi Vijayan described the programme, in his virtual inaugural speech, as “Global South”. Observers believe that it was due to the Intelligence reports.
