Greenpeace to challenge MHA block on foreign funding in court

However, despite the direct attack by the Ministry and a defamation campaign waged by the government, Greenpeace India’s provisional fundraising figures for the financial year ending March 31, 2015 show that the organization received unprecedented support from individual donors in India.

 

Greenpeace India added 30,746 new supporters, taking its tally of financial supporters within India to 77,768. In all, the group received INR 30.36 crore, of which INR 20.76 crore was given by supporters within India. The balance of INR 9.61 crore was received via foreign donations largely from Greenpeace International and the Bertha Foundation. Both in India and globally, Greenpeace relies on money from individuals, and does not accept money from corporations or government entities, an official statement said..

 

Samit Aich, Executive Director of Greenpeace India welcomed the results. “Even as the Ministry of Home Affairs tries to smear us as ‘anti-national’, it is heartening to know that thousands of Indians reject their view, and are voicing their disagreement with their wallets. This is a vindication of Greenpeace India’s work in support of our constitutional rights to safe food, clean air, clean water and clean, affordable electricity. These are the issues that we campaign on, and so it is not surprising that most of our funds – almost 70 percent - come from Indians.”

 

The MHA has recently again sought to block Greenpeace India’s access to funds from Greenpeace International, with €148,608 transferred on March 23 being put on hold. 

 

Greenpeace is seeking legal advice in the matter, as the Delhi High Court in January had ordered that Greenpeace India be allowed to access funds sent by Greenpeace International. The court had also held that the MHA’s action to stop funds from Greenpeace International was ‘arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional’.

 

Aich added, “The MHA’s repeated moves to restrict our funding and the movement of our personnel are clear attempts to silence criticism and dissent. Instead of pursuing such diversionary tactics, the Government’s commitment to ‘sustainable and inclusive development’ is better met by actually engaging with different viewpoints and solutions that are being offered. As an organisation registered to receive foreign funds we have been and will continue to remain transparent and in compliance of the FCRA.”