The Ministry of Home Affairs has reportedly informed the Delhi High Court that Oxfam India was involved in what it described as a “negative and malicious campaign” against Assam’s tea industry, while also allegedly mobilising communities against the coal sector in ways that were said to harm national economic interests.
According to the ministry’s submissions, inquiries conducted by central security agencies and the Central Board of Direct Taxes allegedly found that Oxfam India had violated provisions and objectives of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Indian Express reported.
The government claimed the organisation had entered into arrangements with other associations and provided funding aimed at mobilising local communities and unions against the coal industry, which it argued could destabilise key industries and adversely affect the country’s economic interests.
The MHA had initially declined to renew Oxfam India’s FCRA registration in December 2021 without providing reasons. It again rejected the renewal application on December 1, 2022, citing alleged violations of the law, prompting the NGO to challenge the order before the Delhi High Court.
While the matter remains pending, the ministry reportedly informed the court in February that it was willing to consider a fresh application for FCRA registration from Oxfam India. The NGO subsequently submitted a new application, and central government standing counsel Amit Tiwari reportedly told the court on Friday that the application was currently under consideration.
In its written submissions filed on May 12, Oxfam India reportedly argued that several allegations now being raised by the government were absent from the original December 2022 order. According to the NGO, accusations relating to UNICEF funding, campaigns linked to Assam’s tea sector, transfer and utilisation of foreign funds, administrative expenditure beyond permitted limits and speculative use of foreign contributions were introduced only later.
The organisation also claimed that the government’s counter affidavit before the High Court added further allegations concerning anti-coal campaigns, opposition to development projects, GST-related objections, property transactions and alleged attempts to exert diplomatic pressure through foreign governments and multilateral institutions.
Oxfam India argued that this gradual addition of new allegations was legally impermissible. The NGO maintained that the legality of an administrative order must be judged on the basis of reasons contained within the order itself and contended that a non-speaking order could not later be justified through supplementary explanations or fresh accusations.
In submissions dated May 14, the MHA listed eight alleged violations and claimed that Oxfam India had corresponded with foreign governments and multilateral organisations in ways that attempted to pressure the Indian government.
The ministry argued that such actions suggested the organisation was functioning as an instrument of foreign policy, contrary to the objectives of the FCRA, 2010.