Alappuzha (Kerala) | AICC general secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday said the Congress and other opposition parties would strongly protest the proposed FCRA Bill if the Centre introduced it in Parliament.
He also asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to answer questions on the use of force against students during protests against the NEET paper leak.
Speaking to reporters, Alappuzha MP accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah of avoiding questions and not appearing in Parliament due to fear of facing them.
"If the Central Government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves," he said.
Venugopal alleged that the proposed legislation targeted minorities and NGOs and said the opposition would not allow it to be passed.
He said that when students in India ask the crucial question of who ordered the use of pellet guns, lathi charges and tear gas shells against them to suppress their protest, Amit Shah would not come forward to answer it.
"Even if Amit Shah comes to pass this anti-people bill, there is no doubt that he will have to face strong protests in Parliament. This bill is unconstitutional and anti-people. We will not allow such an anti-people and unconstitutional bill to be passed," Venugopal said.
He also questioned the alleged foreign funding received by organisations associated with the RSS while objecting to proposed restrictions on NGOs receiving funds under the FCRA.
"If you have the courage, try controlling the RSS," he said, alleging that organisations operating lawfully under the FCRA would be targeted by the proposed legislation.
On the proposed delimitation Bill, Venugopal said it would adversely affect states that had successfully implemented population-control measures.
"This bill effectively chokes states that have successfully implemented population control," he said.
He said several southern states, northeastern states, Punjab and Odisha had learned from their experience in population control and questioned whether a government concerned with India's integrity would introduce such legislation.
When asked about the delay in arresting RSS ideologue T G Mohandas over an alleged defamatory statement concerning the protest against the NEET paper leak, Venugopal said registration of an FIR should be followed by an investigation and appropriate action.
"Filing an FIR means an investigation has to take place. These RSS people think that they rule this entire country and the whole world, and that they can say anything," he said.
Venugopal said he believed the Kerala Police was capable of taking action against those responsible.
"I firmly believe that the Kerala Police is capable of controlling such people now," he said.