Indian authorities have raided the home of prominent environmental activist Harjeet Singh, alleging that he is being paid to undermine India's interests by promoting a global treaty aimed at reducing fossil fuel usage. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), an agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and investigating financial crimes, conducted the raid on Singh's residence in Delhi as part of an ongoing investigation into foreign funding received by climate campaign groups.
According to ED officials, Singh and his wife Jyoti Awasthi, co-founders of Satat Sampada (Nature Forever), were paid approximately £500,000 to advocate for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty (FFNPT). The agency claims that the funds were misdeclared as "consultancy services" and "agro-product sales", but was actually intended to promote the FFNPT agenda within India.
The investigation into Singh's activities has sparked concerns among civil society groups, with many organizations facing pressure from authorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule. The ED has accused Satat Sampada of running as a front for foreign interests and promoting narratives that are "inimical to India's energy security".
Singh and Awasthi have denied the allegations, stating that they started the organization with their own savings and loans secured on their home in 2016. They claim that their work is well-documented and that the accusations against them are baseless, biased, and misleading.
The investigation into Singh's activities has raised questions about India's stance on climate change and its relationship with international organizations. The FFNPT Initiative has gained support from several countries and organizations, including Pacific Island nations, the World Health Organization, and the European parliament.
As the investigation continues, concerns are growing about the impact of government pressure on civil society groups in India. With over 17,000 licenses to receive foreign funding suspended and many organizations shutting down, activists fear that the government is attempting to stifle dissenting voices on climate change issues.
According to ED officials, Singh and his wife Jyoti Awasthi, co-founders of Satat Sampada (Nature Forever), were paid approximately £500,000 to advocate for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty (FFNPT). The agency claims that the funds were misdeclared as "consultancy services" and "agro-product sales", but was actually intended to promote the FFNPT agenda within India.
The investigation into Singh's activities has sparked concerns among civil society groups, with many organizations facing pressure from authorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule. The ED has accused Satat Sampada of running as a front for foreign interests and promoting narratives that are "inimical to India's energy security".
Singh and Awasthi have denied the allegations, stating that they started the organization with their own savings and loans secured on their home in 2016. They claim that their work is well-documented and that the accusations against them are baseless, biased, and misleading.
The investigation into Singh's activities has raised questions about India's stance on climate change and its relationship with international organizations. The FFNPT Initiative has gained support from several countries and organizations, including Pacific Island nations, the World Health Organization, and the European parliament.
As the investigation continues, concerns are growing about the impact of government pressure on civil society groups in India. With over 17,000 licenses to receive foreign funding suspended and many organizations shutting down, activists fear that the government is attempting to stifle dissenting voices on climate change issues.
just read about this and its really weird... i mean harjeet singh is a respected environmental activist in india but now he's accused of being paid off by foreign powers to undermine indias interests? it sounds like the government is trying to silence him and any other climate activists who speak out. i dont think we should be accusing someone without evidence, you know? 
its not just about harjeet singh or his org satat sampada, its about the whole climate movement in india being threatened by the authorities. 
what do you guys think is going on here?
i mean harjeet singh is literally my hero he's been fighting for india's environmental rights for years and now they're accusing him of being paid off by some foreign powers? it's like, what's the real motive here? 
and what about the ed's own track record of shady dealings? isn't that something they should be investigating instead of Harjeet Singh? 
. what's wrong with promoting sustainable energy options? do they really think satat sampada is just a front for foreign interests? 
it's like, come on, india's got some of the worst air quality in the world, can't they see how important it is to take action on climate change?
anyway, i'm all for scrutiny and accountability, but this feels like just another attempt to silence dissenting voices in india. 
They're raiding environmental activist Harjeet Singh's home over allegations of receiving £500k from foreign funding 
Not only is this a clear case of government overreach, but it's also super worrying that they're pressuring civil society groups into silence 
it's like we're living in a world where having a conscience is seen as a liability rather than an asset 
do we prioritize national interests over human rights? 
or are we just too scared to stand up for what's right because someone might come after us next 
And what's with all these accusations against them? Sounds like some classic government overreach 