Manish Tewari terms FCRA Amendment Bill ‘draconian’

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday called the proposed amendment by the Union government to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act “draconian and authoritarian”. Addressing a press conference at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters here on Tuesday, he said that the amendment Bill which was tabled in the Parliament tramples and transgresses on the fundamental principles of law and natural justice. “There is quite a lot of concern with regard to the provisions. We assure the people that when the Bill comes up for discussion, the Congress will take a stand against it and make them refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee or the Standing Committee so that there can be a threadbare discussion,” he said.

Deafening silence

Mr. Tewari alleged that the silence of the Union government on the situation in West Asia is extremely deafening. “India’s foreign policy was born out of a struggle against imperialism, fascism and Nazism. It was the outcome of a unique non-violent struggle. India should not be accepting regime change by coercive means nor the targeted assassination or abduction of leaders and functionaries of sovereign nations. Should India not have condoled the targeted assassination of the head of a state of a country and innocent children? Should the PM have visited Israel two days before the joint Israeli-US attack on Iran given that the build up in the Middle East was apparent and we have food and energy security interests in West Asia?” asked Mr. Tewari.

He said that although the Congress has been demanding a discussion on the issues related to West Asia in the Parliament, the Union government has reneged on promises to hold discussions. The Left which usually has been most vociferous on questions of international relations has also been silent, he alleged.