In a scathing critique, Kanchan Gupta highlighted the prevalent trend of predetermined headlines accompanied by retrofitted stories. Gupta specifically targeted Rana Ayub, a reputed propagandist, and the Washington Post for their biased approach towards India, Hinduism, and Prime Minister Modi. Gupta accurately pointed out that the Washington Post consistently maintains a focused agenda to tarnish the image of India. In their recent article titled “India cracks down on critics of coal,” the Post presents an unfounded theory suggesting that the Modi government engages in vendetta politics against anyone opposing Adani’s coal mining ventures.
At the heart of the article lies a straightforward narrative: in September 2022, Indian tax authorities conducted raids on three prominent NGOs that had been vocal critics of Adani’s Hasdeo coal mining project. The three organizations targeted were Oxfam India, the Centre for Policy Research, and the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation in Bengaluru (IPSMF).
Below here, I will mention the excerpts from the Post article
“On Sept. 7, Indian tax authorities simultaneously raided three seemingly unrelated nonprofit organizations without issuing a public statement, confounding many in Indian academia and politics. But one little-known thread connected the three groups: Each was seen by the government to be a critic of Gautam Adani, one of India’s richest men and a political ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
“And each was seen to be standing in the way of a particularly contentious project: an Adani-operated coal mine in a lush forest in central India called Hasdeo Arand.
“The story of the Hasdeo mine and the crackdown on its critics, which was pieced together by The Washington Post through interviews and public and confidential government documents, is a case study in how the Modi government uses state power to push through its economic policies and to aid Adani, a major operator of coal power plants and mines.”
“Oxfam India, a humanitarian group that had funded Indian anti-coal activists, was accused of serving as “a probable instrument of foreign policy” that sought backing from the Irish government and the European Union, according to a government filing. Oxfam said it “has always been compliant with Indian laws” and cooperates with Indian authorities.”
Further in the article, the Modi government is heavily criticized for suppressing the voices of climate activists. Notably, the Washington Post fails to present any concrete evidence to support their claims. The article cleverly conceals its sources or the rationale behind labelling the situation as a “security threat.”
Nevertheless, in this piece, we will thoroughly analyze every significant statement, skillfully constructed sentence, and thoughtfully composed paragraph with the intention of admonishing the Modi government. Additionally, we will delve into the underlying reasons for the income tax raids conducted on the three NGOs.
Also Read: No, Govt didn’t make any GST exceptions for Gautam Adani
Fact Check
First thing first, we will start our investigation by gaining insights into why the Income tax conducted a raid on Oxfam India, an NGO that claims to be torch- bearer of the income inequality campaign. The fact of the matter is, Oxfam India is funded by the likes of Rockefeller, Gates Foundation and Ford Foundation. Despite their claim to address income inequality, these influential billionaire organizations also contribute to the imbalance of wealth. In essence, they add to the list of numerous business groups that play a role in perpetuating income disparities.
Now, let us circle back to the Income Tax raid conducted in September 2022, in New Delhi and Banglore.
According to India Today, “The Income Tax department is conducting surveys at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) – a Delhi-based think tank, and philanthropic organization – the Independent and Public Spirited Media Foundation in Bengaluru (IPSMF) and OXFAM, over alleged financial irregularities.”
According to the Hindustan Times, ‘A senior officer affirmed that the survey is a part of an investigation to determine if there were any violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by the three entities. During the operation on Wednesday, the authorities examined the books of accounts and other relevant documents.’
Notably, there are four things to ponder here,
1- The income tax team conducted the survey, not a raid, as said in the Washington Post report.
2- Following the 2022 surveys, how did these three NGOs respond? Did they express their dissent? Did they assert that they were targeted due to their advocacy for environmental protection? Once again, these assertions were made by the Washington Post.
3- The FCRA license of Oxfam was cancelled back in 2021.
4- The article talks about the surveys conducted last year but tries to wrap up the recent Central Bureau of Investigation case against Oxfam for violating FCRA rules.
As it’s clear from the reports of multiple mainstream media outlets, the Income Tax conducted the survey, not a raid. And yes, both these words are not euphemisms for each other. There is a fundamental difference between these two words.
Surveys, not Raids
As explained by India Today, “Income tax surveys are conducted to identify the taxpayer who has not properly filed income tax returns despite receiving taxable income, and thereby prompting the assessees to pay the requisite taxes along with the penalty or interest, as the case may be.”
Moreover, “To conduct a survey, the tax officials can only enter any place of business or profession during the hours at which such place is open for the conduct of business and, in the case of any other place, only after sunrise and before sunset.
The report added, in case of searches, the officials can enter the premises anytime after sunrise. In case of raids, officials can enter the premises of suspects at any time.
During the survey, the income-tax officials may place marks of identification on the books of accounts or other documents inspected by them.”
Post survey, what were the reactions of three NGOs? Did they accuse Modi and Adani, as was reported in the Washington Post?
Reactions
Oxfam in the press note said, “The Income Tax (I-T) department officials conducted an Income Tax ‘survey’ at the Oxfam India Delhi office from the 7th September 2022 noon to early hours of 9th September. During these 35-plus hours of non-stop survey, the Oxfam India team members were not allowed to leave the premises; the internet was shut down and all the mobile phones were confiscated.”
Later, in the statement said, “While the team conducting the survey was polite and professional, the process of a survey with such sweeping powers and broad ambit resulted in disappointing Oxfam India, an organisation that has been law-abiding and community-centric.”
According to the Indian Express, T N Ninan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IPSMF, said: “A team of income tax officials came for a “survey” to the Bengaluru office of the Foundation on September 7. They stayed till 4.30 this morning, going through the papers and records of the Foundation and asking questions. The Foundation’s staff were cooperative and answered all questions put to them on a wide range of matters. The officials took statements from three senior staff members.”
As reported by the Indian Express, the Think tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR), also subjected to an I-T “survey” Wednesday, too put out a statement Friday. ‘We adhere to the utmost standards of compliance and have full confidence that we have conducted ourselves in an ethical manner. We are dedicated to collaborating with the relevant authorities to address any inquiries they may have. Throughout the survey process, we have extended complete cooperation to the department, and we remain committed to doing so in the future.’
At this point, we have established two key findings in this report. Firstly, it was revealed that the Income Tax department conducted surveys rather than raids. Consequently, this raises doubts about the credibility of the Washington Post article. Secondly, the behaviour of the three NGOs, which underwent Income Tax scrutiny, appeared to align more closely with government agencies rather than making unfounded and complicated allegations against Gautam Adani.
Next, we will discuss how The Washington Post conveniently overlooked the fact that Oxfam India had its license revoked in 2021.
According to CNBC, “Oxfam India’s foreign funding was under the scanner when the MHA refused to renew its FCRA license on December 31, 2021. The ministry cited adverse inputs as the reason for revoking the license.
The NGO later moved the high court against the decision and the court directed the Centre to pass a reasoned speaking order on its revision petition. MHA then passed the impugned order on December 1, 2022, rejecting the revision application, thereby denying renewal of FCRA registration.”
It’s clear that the US-based news agency expediently expunged this information from the article. The WaPo hid the fact that before conducting the alleged raids, the Indian Government has cancelled the FCRA license of Oxfam.
Central Bureau of Investigation Case
Finally, a significant development in this matter is the recent case filed by the CBI against Oxfam India.
Live Mint reported, ‘CBI stated that Oxfam India received approximately ₹1.5 crores directly into its Foreign Contribution Utilisation account instead of the designated bank account from 2013 to 2016. The CBI further revealed that email communication discovered during the income tax survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) indicated Oxfam India’s intention to exert pressure on the Indian government for FCRA renewal through foreign governments and institutions.‘
‘It was stated that Oxfam India obtained FCRA registration for carrying out social activities. However, the payment made to the Delhi-based think tank CPR through its associates or employees as commission, which is not aligned with its stated objectives, violates section-8 and 12(4) of the FCRA 2010. The email discovered during the income tax survey by the CBDT suggests that Oxfam India provides funds to CPR through its associates or employees in the form of a commission. This is supported by the TDS data of Oxfam India, which indicates a payment of ₹12.71 lahks to CPR in the financial year 2019-20.’
Now, let’s put this thing into chronological order.
1- In 2021, the Indian Government cancelled the FCRA license of Oxfam, curtailing the funds and grants received from foreign nations.
2- In 2022, the Income Tax Conducted survey in the offices of Oxfam, CPR, and IPSMF.
3- In 2023, CBI files a case against Oxfam India for violating the FCRA rules.
At last, the dust is settled, now we can clearly see through the malicious intent behind the Washington Post article. The article is devoid of facts. It’s articulated with the sole intention of targeted attacks by concocting and weaving baseless allegations against Prime Minister Modi and Indian businessman Gautam Das Adani.
Hasdeo Mining Project
Throughout the three-year period of registration cancellations, surveys, and legal cases against the three NGOs, there has been no mention whatsoever of Gautam Adani or the Hasdeo mining project. The fictitious theory concocted by the Washington Post in this regard is a prime example of journalistic manipulation. Nevertheless, we will examine the factual aspects concerning the Hasdeo Arania Mining Project in Chattisgarh.
Now, let’s delve into the Hasdeo Mining Project taking place in the state of Chattisgarh. The approval for this project was granted in 2010, and it commenced in 2013. Presently, it is being operated by the Adani Group in collaboration with the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL). This implies that the project was conceived during the Congress-UPA regime, initiated under the Congress administration, and reached fruition with the support of the Congress-led governments in both Chattisgarh and Rajasthan.
Most importantly, the Supreme Court of India has given the green light to the Hasdeo Aranya coal mining project. According to the Economic Times, “We don’t want to come in the way of development and we are very clear on that. We will determine your rights under the law but not at the cost of development.”
Upon careful examination of all the evidence presented in this case, it becomes evident that the Washington Post article lacks credibility. It is replete with falsehoods and fails to accurately reflect the ground reality. The article cunningly exploits the issue of climate change to safeguard the interests of the aforementioned NGOs. However, when confronted with factual information, the claims made by the US newspaper prove to be baseless.
| Claim | PM Modi is stifling the voice of climate activists by conducting IT raids. Meanwhile, the Adani group is exploiting nature by mining coal. |
| Claimed by | The Washington Post |
| Fact Check | Misleading |
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