The Supreme Court wants the Centre to respond to a petition questioning the constitutional validity of provisions in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and Rules giving the government power to deny foreign contributions to virtually any organisation of political nature,not being a political party.
The petition,filed by INSAF,an NGO,said the rules gave the government unchecked and unbridled powers to choke the activities of organisations working for public causes by branding them political and stalling their foreign funds.
For instance,the petition points out Rule 3vi which,it says,is drastic in nature. The Rule says any group that habitually indulges in bandhs,hartals,rasta roko,rail roko,or jail bharo would be declared a political organisation and their action termed political.
It also said the term political activity is defined too loosely and arbitrarily including steps taken towards advancement of political interests by groups working for rights of farmers,students; outfits set up by youth on the basis of caste,religion,language even if they are not aligned to any political party.