CIVIL SOCIETY UNDER SIEGE, IN INDIA

THE CONTEXT: The progressive and anti-communal civil space which is considered as last bulwark for India’s democracy is being targeted by the state. Civil society from NGOs to grassroots activist groups to social movements to unions is being undermined which is leading to erosion of democratic institutions.

MORE ON THE NEWS:

• There is an attempt to limit the civic space of several organisations relying on domestic and foreign donations. These organisations include, Amnesty International, Centre for Equity Studies, Citizens for Justice and Peace and Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD), among significant others.
• The organisations were viewed as being either neutral, moderate, or strong regarding their views on minority rights, Dalit rights, Adivasi (tribal) rights and equity promotion.
• Recent findings suggest that the highest number of attacks were against organisations actively fighting against communalism. These would include organisations such as Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), Amnesty India, Oxfam, Centre for Equity Studies and Lawyers Collective.
• Moderately attacked institutions are those whose activities have been severely curbed because of multiple attacks by the state. They include the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and a significant non-governmental organisation (NGO) with American funding working in the non-communal space.
• Moderately attacked institutions also include fiercely anti-communal NGOs such as ANHAD. Some of the organisations in this area are even neutral on the anti-communal issue. An analysis of the moderate section suggests that the civic space has shrunk to such an extent that the Indian state is not even leaving a non-communal organisation such as the CPR alone. One of the allegations against the CPR appears to be that it had some connections with Adivasi rights movements that impacted the mining interests of the tycoon Gautam Adani.
• Institutions that have been impacted by relatively low levels of attacks are generally not active in the anti-communal area, even though they may be pursuing significant human rights causes. The organisations such as Navsarjan, which is a leader in Dalit rights, and Save The Children’s work on child rights are less under attack compared to the others.
• It is also found that the disciplining instruments deployed by the state can impact organisations. Greenpeace, for example, has transitioned from one that faced high intensity attack to one that now faces a low level of attack by our definition.

ISSUES:

• Misuse of laws: The state is using the range of instruments to limit the civic spaces such as misusing of laws from the use of draconian anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to FCRA and other laws to keep activists behind bars.

1. UAPA: The draconian anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been criticized for being misused by authorities to target human rights defenders, activists, and dissenters. Critics argue that the act has been used to stifle free speech and to quell any form of peaceful protests.

2. FCRA: The Indian government’s crackdown on foreign funding for civil society organisations using the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) continues to remain a cause for concern. The FCRA, which regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign funds by Indian NGOs, has been amended several times in recent years. These amendments have made it more difficult for NGOs to receive foreign funding and have given the government greater powers to monitor and regulate NGOs. One of the main reasons cited by the government for tightening the FCRA is to prevent ‘foreign influence’ over civil society organisations. However, critics argue that the government’s real intention is to suppress dissent and limit the activities of NGOs working on issues such as human rights, the environment and social justice.

3. Prior Reference Category List: Apart from the FCRA provisions, foreign donors are also intimidated by a Prior Reference Category List. It consists around 80 internationally reputed donors who are monitored and intimidated for pursuing any human rights related causes.

4. PMLA: The amendments, in 2019, to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, brought through the Finance Act enabled the Department of Revenue to work with a broader definition of proceeds of crime. This has resulted in the attacks on NGOs and Opposition politicians by the Enforcement Directorate.

5. Income tax act provisions: Domestic funding of non- and anti-communal NGOs is also under siege. Sections 12A and 80G of the Income-Tax Act provide tax exemptions for NGOs and donors, respectively. The 2020 amendments now make renewals of 12A and 80G certificates mandatory every five years. And donor data including their PAN card numbers must be made available to the Ministry of Finance. These provisions enable the state to intimidate domestic donors who wish to fight communalism and crony capitalism. The state uses income-tax surveys as a way of collecting data that can be used to further escalate and institute more cases either by the CBI or the Tax Department.

• Curbing dissent: The Indian government has also used other tactics to repress civic freedoms, including the use of sedition laws and the criminalisation of peaceful protests. Sedition laws have been used to arrest activists critical of the government and peaceful protests have been met with violence and repression by the police. Civil society organisations and activists critical of the government have been silenced, and the space for dissent has been severely curtailed.
• Threatens press freedom: The amendments in the above-mentioned laws were announced without adequate and meaningful consultation with journalists, press bodies and civil society It severely threatens press freedom and empowers the government to be the sole arbiter of truth on the internet.
• Undermines Human rights: Furthermore, the use of sedition laws and the criminalisation of peaceful protests are clear violations of human rights. The right to freedom of expression and assembly is enshrined in international human rights law, and the Indian government’s actions to repress these rights are a clear violation of its obligations under international law.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Repeal laws: To improve the situation in India, the government must repeal laws that restrict the ability of civil society organisations to operate freely. For example, Government must stop the use of sedition laws to target activists critical of the government and ensure that peaceful protests are allowed to take place without fear of repression.
• Protect rights: Civic freedoms, including the freedom of expression, association, and assembly, are essential for a vibrant and functioning democracy. There is a need to recognise and protect these freedoms by social and political forces who repose their faith in the Constitution.
• Ensuring democratic principles: The Indian government’s actions to repress civic freedoms are problematic and unacceptable in a democratic society. There is a need to take adequate steps to ensure democratic principles. Mobilizing anti-communal and progressive civic space to safeguard democracy.
• Engaging with stakeholders: The Indian government must engage with civil society organisations and activists to address their concerns and work towards building a more inclusive and democratic society. The government must also work towards promoting a culture of respect for human rights and the rule of law in the country.
• Opposition stand: The Opposition should take stringent steps apart from fighting like a single party. It will also need to mobilise the anti-communal and progressive civic space in its favour to save democracy. For example, Recently, “Eddelu Karnataka” (Wake-up Karnataka) or similar social movements in Telangana, had mobilised the anti-communal civic space and secular and progressive social and political forces came together in both these States.

THE CONCLUSION:

A free civic space regulated under constitutionally guaranteed principles is the essence of democracy. There is a need to take adequate steps to preserve this unusually diverse and vibrant civil society.

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty and powerful. Analysing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures. (2021)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Constitutional freedoms are under siege as India’s diverse and vibrant civil space continues to be targeted by the state. Critically Examine.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/civil-society-under-siege-in-india/article67706998.ece#:~:text=India%20is%20lucky%20to%20have,their%20faith%20in%20the%20Constitution.