In a major crackdown against problematic foreign-funded organizations, the FCRA license of Christian evangelical organization World Vision India has been suspended.
World Vision India which claims itself to be a humanitarian organization is a branch of World Vision International, which explicity states that it is a Christian evangelical organisation.
“World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God..” is how the World Vision introduces itself on its website.
World Vision India is one of the largest non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the country and is into different realms of the social sector.
Hitherto, the organization had a license to receive foreign funds under the Foregin Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). It receives funds from across the world including its parent organization.
According to the FCRA rules, an NGO seeking to receive foreign donations must utilise those funds only for the purpose for which they have been received and as stipulated in the Act.
However, the FCRA had violated the rules and its own objectives by utilizing foreign funds for religious activities.
According to NGO-watch Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), World Vision India had received ₹28000 from New Zealand during FY 2015-16 as foreign fund for ‘Religious’ purpose which is in contradiction to their actual objective.
LRPF back then had written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking cancellation of World Vision’s FCRA License.
Found that 'World Vision India' received Rs.28K from New Zealand during FY 2015-16 as Foreign Fund for 'Religious' Purpose which is in contradiction to their actual objective.
Wrote to MHA seeking cancellation of its FCRA License for violation. pic.twitter.com/Az2aRTTmw5— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) October 26, 2019
The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act also prohibits the use of foreign funds for activities detrimental to national interest.
When the pandemic struck in 2019, World Vision India along with another controversial organization Oxfam had unleashed a smear campaign against Indian Public Health Care System while soliciting funds for the same.
In 2019, Middle East Forum, a US think tank had revealed how World Vision was involved in terror-financing. World Vision was funding the Sudan-based Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA), a U.S. designated charity linked to slain Islamic terrorist Osama Bin Laden. World Vision had subcontracted its work in the Blue Nile region of Sudan to ISRA which had reportedly given millions of dollars to Osama Bin Laden and raised funds for Hamas suicide bombings in 2003.
In view of the above facts, it has now come to light that the FCRA license of World Vision India has been suspended.
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