Intelligence Bureau using dubious methods to silence people movements: Activists

NEW DELHI: Slamming the recent Intelligence Bureau (IB) report which said that some foreign-funded NGOs are blocking development in the country, several civil rights activists today accused the central agency of using "dubious" methods to silence and suppress people's movements.

Batting for sustainable development, the activists alleged that the report aims to silence and suppress people's movements and those who are demanding a model of inclusive development in the country.

"We are deeply shocked at the dubious methods of the IB to discredit many social activists who have committed their lives in social actions for years," a statement undersigned by noted human rights activists, academicians and journalists said.

"Where did the IB report originate from? And who has authorised the report?" asked Rajinder Sachar, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.

Referring to Emergency, on the eve of its 39th anniversary, he further noted, "The Emergency was imposed years ago, but the mentality still persists."

Kavita Krishnan, secretary All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), said the current and previous governments have been misleading people by saying that country's development and environment cannot go hand in hand.

"Public movements do not say it is environment versus development. The key concern is whom does development benefits. Is it only corporate groups? And those who question this are termed anti-development," Krishnan said.

Underlining that many civil rights movements and NGOs have no foreign funding but are funded by public, she said the move was a political gimmick to "facilitate the real "foreign interests".

"The activists who question the unsustainability, environmental implications, the impact on livelihood and other social costs of such 'proven disasters' have been named as 'foreign funded' activists trying to block development," it said.

"Sustainable development is crucial and it is our duty to protect rights of the poor despite IB calling it anti-development," said Sanjay Parikh, advocate Supreme Court.

Lashing out at the report, activists further said the agency is attempting to block crucial space for criticism of government.