Shock and anger abound over India’s pro-Hindu government targeting of humanitarian groups like Missionaries of Charity. In other Asian nations, people grapple with injustices, oppression and the pandemic.
India’s decision to curb foreign funding for thousands of humanitarian groups including the Missionaries of Charity congregation founded by Mother Teresa has triggered shock and anger at home and abroad.
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government has refused to renew the licenses of 5,900 non-profit groups under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, which is mandatory to receive foreign donations in India. Analysts say the repressive move is a way to restrict humanitarian organizations to work independently in India.
The curb has plunged Missionaries of Charity into uncertainty over foreign funding and has started taking a toll on its daily operations. The nuns in Kolkata city have been forced to strictly ration food and daily use items for beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh state, Mother Teresa nuns have been forced to shut down a home for orphan, destitute and abandoned children in Kanpur Cantonment following the expiry of its land lease. The home served hundreds of helpless children since 1968.
Nuns from Missionaries of Charity distribute food to the needy on Peace Day to mark the death anniversary of Mother Teresa at the congregation’s motherhouse in Kolkata on Sept. 5, 2021. (Photo: AFP)