Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 21 December said the government will show no mercy towards non-government organisations trying to change the demography of the country and create societal disturbances through foreign funding. Shah was responding to the issue of the functioning of foreign aid-receiving NGOs involved in creating awareness about drug abuse.

“They want to change the demography through FCRA. It cannot be allowed legally. Strong action will be taken against them,” the Union Home Minister said.

The government has roped in a number of NGOs to create awareness about drug abuse, but it cannot remain a silent spectator to unmonitored foreign funding of such organisations in the country, Shah told the lower house.

“There are many NGOs that want to disintegrate India’s society. There are some NGOs that want to torture India’s society. For these NGOs, the Indian government’s policy can’t be the same,” Shah said.

“For those who don’t abide by the Foreign Contribution Regulatory (FCRA) Act, strong action will be taken against them. There will be no mercy to them,” he said.

“Flow of funds from foreign lands cannot remain unmonitored. Enough had taken place during your (UPA) rule. This is Narendra Modi’s government. We will not allow any funds to come to destroy the country,” he added.

During the debate, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the government was not allowing civil society organisations to work properly by subjecting them to investigation under Foreign Contribution (Regulatory) Act.