Greenpeace says PM Narendra Modi government on harassment campaign

NEW DELHI: Greenpeace International has called the Narendra Modi government’s action against its Indian arm of suspending the latter’s FCRA licence as a “harassment campaign” that is “suppressing the voice” of Indians, even as Greenpeace India said it would challenge the move in court.

“Ever since the leaked and malicious IB report of June 2014, Greenpeace International has been concerned by the harassment campaign that sections of the Indian government, mainly the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been running against Greenpeace India. This latest move appears to be more of the same and is clearly an attempt to suppress the voice of Indians demanding their legal and constitutional rights to clean air, safe food and a healthy and liveable environment,” Greenpeace International said on Friday in an email response to ET’s questions.

Mike Townsley, the IComms Director of Greenpeace International said in recent years, the NGO has seen a “shrinking of democratic space” in several countries. “But the current situation in India is certainly one of the more serious examples of a government cracking down on civil society organisations, including Greenpeace,” Townsley said.

On the allegations made by the Indian Government against Greenpeace India, Townsley said Greenpeace International has “complete confidence” in the management and staff of Greenpeace India. “We are confident that there have been no violations of Indian laws and look forward to Greenpeace India defending itself against the charges made by the Indian government,” Greenpeace International has said.

“In the meantime, we are sure that Greenpeace India will continue the excellent work it has been doing on renewable energy, climate change, air pollution and sustainable agriculture,” it said.