As opposition parties, led by Congress, stalled Parliament over the US court’s indictment of the Adani Group, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi drew attention to foreign government-funded organisations systematically targeting India. Trivedi specifically called out the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), an organisation accused of publishing reports critical of India just before each parliamentary session, suggesting a coordinated effort to destabilise the country’s political stability.
OCCRP issue raised in Parliament by Sudhanshu Trivedi ji.
US Govt and Soros funds OCCRP which runs propaganda in India. Congress and Journalists spread the propaganda.
Highlighted how narratives are strategically timed just before crucial events like parliamentary sessions or… pic.twitter.com/SBmIhMrCgQ
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) December 5, 2024
Trivedi cited a report by French media outlet Mediapart, which revealed that despite claiming to be an independent and impartial organisation, OCCRP is heavily funded by US government agencies. Additionally, the report emphasised OCCRP’s focus on India and its alignment with foreign interests. Trivedi also drew attention to the organisation’s connections with George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF), the Ford Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, all known for their opposition to nationalist governments globally.
Mediapart’s Revelations on OCCRP’s Funding
Mediapart, an independent French investigative news outlet, published a report on December 2, 2024, that detailed OCCRP’s substantial funding from the US government. According to the investigation, the US government provided 47 million dollars to OCCRP, while European nations such as the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, and France contributed an additional 14 million dollars. The European Union added 1.1 million dollars to the organisation’s budget since its inception.
The French outlet reported that between 2014 and 2023, 70 per cent of OCCRP’s funding came from government sources, with the US government contributing 52 per cent. However, the organisation has failed to disclose this US government funding in its official reports. Beyond government funds, OCCRP also receives significant financial support from Soros’ OSF, the Ford Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation.
Patterns of Reports Published Before Key Political Events
Trivedi pointed to a disturbing pattern of foreign-funded media reports being published just before critical parliamentary sessions or elections. These reports often portray India in a negative light, coinciding with key political moments in the country.
Examples of this recurring pattern include:
February 2021 : A report on farmer protests was released just days before the budget session began.
July 2021 : The Pegasus spyware scandal was reported just ahead of the monsoon session.
January 2023 : The Hindenburg report on the Adani Group was released days before the budget session.
January 2023 : A BBC documentary on Prime Minister Modi appeared before Parliament reconvened.
July 2023 : A video on the Manipur violence surfaced just before the parliamentary session started.
May 2024 : A COVID-19 vaccine report was published during India’s general elections.
November 2024: A report from a US court on the Adani Group was released just ahead of the current parliamentary session.
Trivedi expressed concern that these reports, often timed strategically, seem designed to undermine the country’s image and destabilise its economic and political systems.
Trivedi and Dhankhar Call for Action
Sudhanshu Trivedi, in his address, noted that since the Modi government began its efforts to position India as a global leader, these foreign-funded attacks have intensified. He presented the Mediapart report to the Rajya Sabha, urging a thorough discussion on the influence of foreign entities in undermining India’s sovereignty.
Opposition MPs, however, raised objections to Trivedi’s comments, leading to a brief uproar in the House. At this point, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar intervened, stating that the issue raised by Trivedi was of utmost importance. “We cannot allow the largest democracy to be undermined by a deep state from anywhere else. This house must be united in neutralising any threat or initiative that jeopardises our sovereignty,” Dhankhar emphasised.
Trivedi further highlighted how Russia had previously revealed attempts by a foreign government to influence the outcome of India’s general elections, underscoring the need to address such external interferences.
India’s Rise and Foreign Opposition
India’s transformation into a global powerhouse under Prime Minister Modi has triggered a series of foreign-funded attacks aimed at undermining its sovereignty. Trivedi’s speech exposed how foreign organizations like OCCRP release critical reports—such as the Hindenburg allegations—to destabilise India’s economy and discredit its democratic institutions.
Of equal concern is the role of Indian opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, who have been accused of amplifying these foreign narratives, portraying India as a dysfunctional state and aligning with external interests. As Trivedi correctly pointed out, “We cannot allow the largest democracy to be made dysfunctional by a deep state.” He stressed that India would not bow to external forces or domestic enablers working against the country’s interests.
Mediapart’s Report on Soros and OCCRP
Mediapart’s investigative report also drew attention to the Open Society Foundations’ significant role in funding OCCRP. According to the French outlet, about 70 per cent of OCCRP’s funding comes from Soros’ OSF, raising questions about the organization’s independence and impartiality.
The report detailed an email from Du Sullivan, co-founder of OCCRP, in 2005, in which he acknowledged that, in the early years, the organisation refrained from covering stories about the US because of the funding it received from Soros and US government sources. The email added fuel to suspicions regarding OCCRP’s operational transparency.
The “Deep State” Allegation
The term “deep state” refers to powerful, often covert, agencies that secretly implement a government’s agenda. The accusation that OCCRP operates under the influence of a “deep state” stems from its significant funding from US government agencies and George Soros. Critics argue that this raises doubts about whether OCCRP’s reports are driven by an agenda to influence global politics and destabilise nations like India.
Mediapart’s report further outlined the extent of OCCRP’s connections to the US, detailing the significant funding it receives from American agencies. This has led to increasing concerns about whether OCCRP’s operations align with the covert interests of foreign governments.
A Call to Protect India’s Sovereignty
Sudhanshu Trivedi’s intervention in Parliament raised a critical issue: the growing influence of foreign-funded organisations in India’s political and economic landscape. As India seeks to assert its position on the global stage, it faces increasing challenges from foreign entities seeking to destabilise its sovereignty. Trivedi’s call for a thorough discussion on foreign interference and the need for India to remain vigilant against such external forces is an urgent reminder of the challenges posed by the rising global influence of nationalistic governments.
India, as the world’s largest democracy, must remain united in the face of these attempts to undermine its democratic values and sovereignty. As Chairman Dhankhar aptly put it, “We cannot allow the largest democracy to be made dysfunctional by a deep state.” India’s rise must be safeguarded from any foreign interference—be it from organisations like OCCRP or from domestic enablers who amplify their narratives.
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