Recently, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court sentenced 28 accused in the Chandan Gupta murder case to life imprisonment. In this order, the court raised serious concerns about the involvement of seven NGOs in a communal violence case.
For the last few years, NGOs are playing a significant role in shaping narratives surrounding communal violence in India, particularly post-Godhra 2002. In this order, the court has mentioned seven NGOs and expressed grave concerns over their attempts to set the anti-Hindu narratives which fuelled communal violence and eventually pressurised the judiciary.
Court Names Organisations
- Citizens of Justice and Peace (CJP)
- Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC)
- People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
- South Asia Solidarity Group (SASG)
- United Against Hate (UAH)
- Rihai Manch
- Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA)
- Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUT)
Court Observations:
- Biased Reporting: NGOs like CJP have been accused of creating biased narratives by selectively blaming one side for communal violence, while overlooking other factors. The report “Truth Of Kasganj” released by CJP was dismissed by the court for lacking credibility, attempting to manipulate public opinion and failing to provide verifiable evidence.
- Undue Interference: The court expressed concerns about the involvement of these NGOs in legal proceedings. The court noted that such NGOs, including foreign organisations, may be attempting to exert undue pressure on the judiciary.
- Communal Harmony: The court called on all stakeholders, including the judiciary and bar associations, to reflect on the implications of such practices on communal harmony and judicial independence. The court emphasised that advocacy by communal NGOs risks shifting allegiance towards the organisations rather than the state, undermining faith in judicial processes.
- Concerns about Funding: The court raised concerns about the funding sources of NGOs involved in communal cases, questioning their motives and objectives. It urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Chairman of the Bar Council of India to investigate these NGOs’ funding and activities.
- Potential for Misuse of Legal Aid: The court noted that when an accused is acquitted due to advocacy by a communal NGO, their allegiance tends to shift towards the NGO rather than the State, fostering a narrow and dangerous perception of the judiciary. This raises questions about the impact of legal aid provided by such NGOs, particularly when they are perceived to have links to extremist or terror groups.
These observations suggest that NGOs can significantly influence the narrative surrounding communal violence through their reports, legal interventions and advocacy. Some of these activities have been criticised for being biased, manipulative and potentially harmful to the justice system and communal harmony in India. These NGOs have been linked to terror funding or have provided legal aid to individuals accused of terrorist activities. The court questioned the funding sources and objectives of NGOs involved in communal cases. There are also concerns that some of these groups have connections to extremist organisations.
Scrutinising NGOs & their Activities
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP):
This Mumbai-based organisation, founded by Teesta Setalvad and others including her husband Javed Anand, is described as a human rights movement. The organisation has been criticised for its biased approach and for allegedly targeting Hindu groups while overlooking other aspects of communal violence. CJP also released a report titled Truth Of Kasganj: Sham Police Probe Protects Hindus, Frames Muslims which was heavily criticised by the court as being biased.
CJP filed Cases in Court
- Maharashtra Government order (GR) sets up a committee to “monitor inter-faith marriages”.
- Calls for genocide by UP seer
- Challenge to anti-conversion laws
- Legal aid for those excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC)
- Zakia Jafri case
CJP and SabrangIndia are closely related organisations. Both have been co-founded by Teesta Setalvad. CJP focuses on legal advocacy and other activism, while SabrangIndia is more of a media platform that publishes news and articles. Thus, Teesta uses two tools for apolitical actions, one for activism and other for narrative setting.
Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC)
This is a radical Islamist group with links to banned terror organisations, including the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). IAMC has a history of lobbying against India. The organisation also has ties with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Founder of IAMC, Shaik Ubaid and member Abdul Malik Mujahid have headed the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), which has established links with Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. It is also associated with the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR). IAMC’s funding sources and associations with other organisations have also been scrutinised. There have been allegations of links with groups that have controversial backgrounds. Its X (twitter) accounts have been withheld in India based on legal action but interestingly, the website and other SM accounts are not.
People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
This organisation works as one of the collaborators of various Communist organisations. It collaborates with many frontal organisations and under-ground / banned organisations. PUCL has links with Maoists and has had members arrested for these connections. It works on various fronts to support the anti-national actors and provide them the shield by setting narrative through various ground activities like organising seminars, public meetings and campaigns. The organisation publishes reports, press releases and the PUCL Bulletin on various issues to target the Government and majority group.
South Asia Solidarity Group (SASG)
This is a UK-based organisation that describes itself as anti-imperialist and anti-racist. The SASG is known for its anti-India propaganda and has been criticised for blaming Hindus for the 2022 Leicester violence. Founded in 1987 by Amrit Wilson and Kalpana Wilson, SASG has other members like former LTTE member from Sri Lanka, Nirmala Rajasingham, Keval Bharadia, Saunvedan Aparanti, Sangeeta Kalia and Shruti Iyer. SASG is also part of International Solidarity for Academic Freedom in India (InSAF) and Awaaz Network. In India they have very close association with CPIML.
In 2022, SASG blamed Hindus in Leicester for unleashing violence against them even when there was overwhelming evidence on video and speeches made by Islamists against Hindus. Islamists called for mobs from outside Leicester via Instagram, fake news peddled by ex-ISIS/AQ recruiters like Majid Freeman. Thus, it actually focuses on anti-India or anti-Hindu issues.
United Against Hate (UAH)
This Delhi-based Muslim organisation has been accused of being involved in the anti-Hindu Delhi riots of February 2020. The organisation has also participated in farmers’ protests and has been linked to anti-CAA campaigns.
UAH was established with declared intention to combat hate crimes and provide assistance to victims of mob violence. They set up helplines and organised protests to raise awareness. UAH member Khalid Saifi was arrested in February 2020 from an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest site in Delhi. Umar Khalid, another prominent member, has also faced scrutiny and legal action. This group has been active in organising protests and providing support to the Muslims who are active in anti-Hindu activities.
Rihai Manch
A legal-political advocacy group based in Lucknow, Rihai Manch was set up in 2012 by lawyer and human rights activist Mohammad Shoaib. The organisation focuses on providing legal aid to Muslims. Rihai Manch has actively supported protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Its founder, Mohammed Shoaib, was arrested during the protests. This group has provided legal aid to individuals accused in the 2018 Kasganj violence, which resulted in the death of Chandan Gupta – the case in which court has awarded life term to 28 accused.
Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUI): With a notorious track record of defending individuals associated with terrorist activities, JUH has provided legal aid to terrorists linked to organisations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba. JUT’s legal cell, established in 2007, took up cases and enlisted lawyers to defend terror accused across the country. Reports indicate that JUT defended around 700 terror-accused individuals, resulting in the acquittal of at least 192 since 2007. JUT’s interventions include high-profile cases such as the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts, the 2006 Malegaon blasts, the Aurangabad Arms case and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
The modus operandi of all these NGOs is very interesting. These organisations are associated with each other directly or indirectly. Some of these organisations work like SASG or IAMC in countries like the USA or European countries. They stage various programmes and try to come into the limelight by defaming Bharat and Hindus internationally. They manage funds for NGOs in India. These organisations use their contacts so that agencies like the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom jump on issues of their interest.
The modes operandi of all these NGOs is very interesting. These organisations are associated with each other directly or indirectly. Some of these organisations work like SASG or IAMC in countries like USA or European countries. The stage various programs and gather attention defaming India and Hindus internationally. They manage funds for NGOs in India. These organizations use their contacts so that agencies like United States Commission on International Religious Freedom jump on issues of their interest.
Few other organisations like PUCL or JUI, work at India level. They manage the media as well as try to influence the judiciary and opinion makers in system. They are instrumental in setting anti-India and-Hindu narratives. They are backbone of so called “ecosystem”. These organisations work as mediator between international organisations and local organisations.
There are organisation like Rihai Manch which work locally. These organisations manage local support and coordinate ground activities. The foot soldiers are members of these organisations.
Another interesting observation is, some of these are Muslim organizations where as some follow the communist ideology. Yet all join hands together in anti-India, anti-Hindu activities.
As mentioned by hon. court in Chandan Gupta case order, the objectives, intentions of all these NGOs must be scrutinized. Also the funding for their activities on ground as well as support system must be investigated and culprits must be brought in front of nation.
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