Thiruvananthapuram, April 5 Congress general secretary K C Venugopal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, expressing disappointment over his statement accusing the UDF of "spreading lies" about the FCRA amendments for "political gain".
Venugopal, the MP from Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency, said that the PM's statement made in Kerala a day before were "deeply problematic and humiliating for an entire community".
"I am writing to you with a profound sense of anguish and disappointment. Your statement in Kerala, accusing the UDF of spreading lies about the FCRA for political gain, was deeply problematic and humiliating for an entire community.
"To make such a remark on a sacred day was particularly unfortunate and avoidable," the Congress general secretary said in his letter.
Modi, in his speech at an NDA rally in Thiruvalla on Saturday, had alleged that the UDF and LDF were spreading misinformation about the FCRA and the Uniform Civil Code, citing Goa as an example where the UCC has been in place for decades, and added that similar claims were made earlier about the CAA.
Venugopal also said that the "far-reaching adverse consequences and dangers" inherent in the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) are such that they cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
"We demand that the government make a clear commitment to the people that this Bill, or any similar move to attack well-meaning social and community organisations, will never see the light of day again," he said.
The Congress leader also posed several queries in his letter to the PM, asking if the amendment Bill was brought in good faith, why did the government withdraw it?
"Is that not the clearest evidence of a guilty conscience?" he asked.
He also asked the PM whether the FCRA Bill was not a continuation of the "persecution and suffering being endured by Christians and other sections of the people" ever since he assumed office?
"What answer do you have to give to the senior-most religious and community leaders who expressed their anguish about these amendments? In spite of all these warnings, the government went ahead with the Bill. Does this not clearly point to a well-planned conspiracy?" he further asked.
The other queries he posed included whether any consultations were held in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting regarding the Bill, did the panel fix a time for its consideration and passage and if not, what was the "compelling emergency" which forced the government to rush the legislation "in violation of all parliamentary conventions, procedures and established norms"?
Venugopal also asked why the government not responded to the crystal clear objections raised by Congress MP Manish Tewari in the Parliament and why it proceeded with introduction of the Bill despite being fully aware of its "far-reaching harmful consequences"?
"Was it not a calculated move on the part of the government to introduce the Bill when five state Assembly elections were underway, knowing fully well that the principal opposition MPs from those states were busy in election campaigns?
"The Bill was brought on the very last day before the House was to adjourn. When MPs questioned this, the Speaker merely stated that it was the Government’s decision. Does that not mean this happened under your directions?" the Congress leader asked in his letter.
The FCRA Amendment Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, seeks to enhance transparency and ensure proper utilisation of foreign funds, while preventing their misuse against national security and interests.
Though the Bill was listed for consideration in Wednesday's Lok Sabha agenda, it was not taken up for discussion.