Teesta Setalvad, a journalist and self-styled human rights activist who was arrested for fabricating evidence in the 2002 Gujarat riots cases, has a long and documented history of brewing anti-India conspiracies, receiving foreign funding, and consistently targeting the Modi government.
Background and Organisational Network
Setalvad is the founder of Sabrang Trust, Sabrang Communications, and Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). These organisations have served as vehicles for her anti-India agenda.
She has a history of brewing anti-India conspiracy and has consistently targeted the Modi government through her writings, speeches, and organisational activities.
Foreign Funding from Ford Foundation
Setalvad received multiple funds from the Ford Foundation, which were used to create communal disharmony and carry out anti-national propaganda.
The Ford Foundation, funded by George Soros, has been a key source of financial backing for her activities.
FCRA Violations and CBI Chargesheet
In 2016, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled Sabrang Trust’s FCRA registration after finding specific violations of FCRA rules.
In December 2016, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand, and their publishing company Sabrang Communications for these FCRA violations.
Conspiracy Against Then Gujarat CM Modi
Setalvad had reportedly used money from George Soros’s Ford Foundation to conspire against the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and planned at disrupting communal harmony in the state.
Gulbarg Society Museum Fund Misappropriation
Setalvad collected ₹1.51 crore through her NGOs from domestic and foreign donors, promising to turn the riot-hit Gulbarg Society into a museum.
However, in 2013, residents and riot victims filed a police complaint stating that the money never reached them.
Arrest for Fabricating Evidence
On 25 June 25, 2022, Gujarat Police arrested Setalvad for fabricating evidence against Prime Minister Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots cases. She had even challenged the SIT clean chit given to PM Modi. Her hatred for the Prime Minister is very evident.
US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Listing
Setalvad was listed as a religious prisoner of conscience by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The same USCIRF submits annual anti-India testimony.
The same USCIRF that the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), funded by Soros, lobbies against India every year.
KHOJ Initiative Spreading Communal Disharmony
Former CJP employee Raees Pathan filed a complaint with Gujarat Police stating that Setalvad used KHOJ, her school education initiative, to spread communal disharmony by circulating “exploitative literature full of hate and venom.”
KHOJ had received a ₹1.4 crore grant from the Ministry of Human Resources Development under the UPA government. She used this grant to spread hate through a school programme.
Her fundamentals are clear to disrupt peace in the society as she was ordered by her master Soros.
Congress Ecosystem Connections
Setalvad is very close to the Congress ecosystem. Her grandfather served as the first Attorney General of India, and all anti-Hindu laws of the 1950s were passed by Nehru on his consultation.
Support to INDI Alliance
Owing to her love for Congress, Setalvad, along with multiple civil society organisations, formally extended open support to the INDI Alliance.
Podcast: “Atyachari Regime” Remark
In a recent podcast, Setalvad called BJP rule since 2014 an “atyachari regime” (oppressive regime), saying that it is worse than the Emergency during Indira Gandhi’s time. She also blamed the Modi government for the “downfall of students” since 2014.
12. In a recent podcast, Setalvad called BJP rule since 2014 an “atyachari regime”, saying that it’s worse than Emergency during Indira Gandhi, and blamed the Modi government for the “downfall of students” since 2014. pic.twitter.com/PIQMKlt0As
— Brown Sepoys (@BrownSepoys) August 13, 2026
Support for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
In the same podcast, Setalvad extended her support to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, stating that they never raised anti-national slogans and that the slogans were doctored.
13. In the same podcast, she extended her support to Umar Khalid and mSharjeel Imam, stating that they never raised anti-national slogans rather they were doctored. Setalvad is on bail for fabricating evidence and is now calling documented video evidence doctored. pic.twitter.com/JWL1ilAcgj
— Brown Sepoys (@BrownSepoys) August 13, 2026
This is significant because Setalvad is currently on bail for fabricating evidence, and she is now calling documented video evidence doctored.
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Setalvad is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, wearing the sheep’s skin of human rights while feeding on riot victims, foreign money, and fabricated evidence. She has a remarkable history of dangerous credentials to create disruption in society on the whims of her foreign masters. Her arrest, FCRA violations, fund misappropriation, and consistent pattern of anti-India propaganda expose her as a willing participant in a premeditated campaign to destabilise India.
This article is based on an X thread by Brown Sepoys.
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