In a recent development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) executed searches at the office and residence of retired IAS officer and rights activist Harsh Mander. The investigation is linked to a probe into the alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) concerning Aman Biradari, a non-government organization (NGO) founded by Mander.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had recommended a CBI inquiry last year, stemming from concerns about foreign funding associated with Aman Biradari. This move comes subsequent to a money laundering probe initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in September 2021, which involved raids at Mander’s residence. The ongoing investigation is centered around two NGOs connected to the veteran activist.
Harsh Mander: A Brief Profile
- Harsh Mander, a renowned rights activist, is associated with causes such as the right to food, right to information, bonded labor, and the rights of Adivasis.
- Currently serving as the Director of the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Equity Studies, Mander has been a prominent figure in advocacy and policy discussions.
- Noteworthy author of books like “Between Memory and Forgetting: Massacre and the Modi Years in Gujarat,” “Partitions of the Heart: Unmaking the Idea of India,” and “The Right to Food Debates: Social Protection for Food Security in India.”
- Mander served as a member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council during the UPA government.
The CBI’s actions are a result of the government’s intensified scrutiny into the financial affairs of non-profit organizations. The FCRA violation probe underscores the growing attention on foreign contributions and their potential implications on national interests.
As the investigation unfolds, the case brings to light the intersection of activism, financial regulations, and governance. The search operations have sparked discussions on the broader issues of transparency and accountability within the non-profit sector.
Harsh Mander’s association with key social causes and his role in the public domain adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations. The implications of this inquiry on the larger landscape of civil society and the regulatory environment will be closely monitored in the coming days.
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