The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for stringent surveillance of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trusts operating in Jammu and Kashmir, expressing serious apprehensions about their financial dealings. The party has specifically urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and relevant security agencies to implement a comprehensive monitoring system.
Allegations of Suspicious Transactions and Anti-National Links
Raising the issue on Wednesday, BJP leader Altaf Thakur alleged that several registered and unregistered entities in the region are involved in dubious financial transactions with anti-national elements. He emphasized that the sheer scale of operations necessitates immediate governmental scrutiny.
More than 16,000 NGOs are officially registered in Jammu and Kashmir, Thakur revealed, adding that a segment of these organisations is receiving foreign funds. He argued that many operate under the pretext of social welfare but are potentially channeling resources towards activities that threaten India's integrity.
Call for a Robust Monitoring Mechanism
Addressing the media in Srinagar, Thakur pressed for the central government and the Union Territory administration under the Lieutenant Governor to maintain a vigilant watch. The security and integrity of our nation cannot be compromised, he stated firmly.
The BJP's demands include:
- Establishing a strong mechanism to track the financial operations of all NGOs.
- Scrutinising the sources of their funding and their expenditure patterns.
- Closely monitoring their on-ground activities to ensure alignment with stated, lawful objectives.
Thakur stressed that the government needs to dig deeper into their funding and their work to prevent any threat to national security.
Reference to Past Cases and a Warning
To underscore his concerns, the BJP leader cited the case of Khuram Parvez, a former human rights activist and coordinator for the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, who was arrested in November 2021 over allegations of terror financing.
Thakur warned that individuals are using humanitarian work as a cover to covertly support anti-national and terrorist networks. We cannot and will not allow this to happen to disturb the peace in J-K, he declared, calling for strict vigilance to curb such activities effectively across the Union Territory.
