India plans to tighten regulation of NGOs, including a proposed amendment that
would empower a new agency to seize land, buildings or other assets owned by
foreign-funded organizations whose mandatory official registration is cancelled
or not renewed. The ruling Modi-led Hindu nationalist government is prepared to
push the reforms despite lobbying from Western governments, opposition parties
and Christian churches warning the move could jeopardize thousands of schools,
hospitals, religious sites and humanitarian projects. A senior Indian official
said the government may seek a parliamentary vote on the amendment before this
Thursday’s session ends. Officials cite concerns about covert foreign influence
as the rationale for the tighter oversight.
