Rajiv Gandhi Foundation accepted money from China: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation had received money from the Chinese Embassy and Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. He informed that the registration of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation was canceled due to this. He alleged that the Congress MPs created a ruckus in the Parliament to avoid questions about the cancellation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FRCA) license to the Foundation.

Addressing reporters outside Parliament House today, Shah said the Opposition had created a ruckus during Question Hour by raising the issue of the December 9 clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector. Proceedings of the house were adjourned till 12 noon due to the uproar.

Shah alleged that Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) has accepted Rs 1.35 crore from the Chinese Embassy during 2005-2007. Shah pointed out that the Home Ministry had imposed sanctions on the RGF as it violated the regulations of the ministry and added that if Congress had allowed him in the Parliament, he would have disclosed the illegal activities of the party.

"The opposition raised the issue of India-China face-off to avoid question being raised in Lok Sabha on FCRA violation by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation," Shah said.

Meanwhile, reacting to Shah's allegation, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, said that is no relation to it (Rajiv Gandhi Foundation FCRA license cancellation issue). "If it's our fault then hang us," Kharge said.

Talking to reporters early this morning, Amit Shah said: "I saw the question hour list and after seeing question number 5, I understood the anxiety (of Congress). The question was regarding the cancellation of the FCRA license of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation" the union minister said.

"If they would have allowed I would have given an answer in Parliament that Rajiv Gandhi Foundation during 2005-2007 had received grant of Rs 1.35 crore, which was not appropriate as per FCRA rules. So as per the rules, Home Ministry canceled its registration," he said.

The home minister said that Rajiv Gandhi Foundation lost its FCRA license for one more reason. "Islamic Research Foundation whose chief is Zakir Naik also gave Rs 50 lakhs to the foundation on July 7, 2011. I want to ask the members of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, who are the members of the Congress Party, why did Zakir Naik gave you these funds. The country's public deserves an explanation on this."

The Union Home Minister condemned the uproar by Opposition members in Parliament and said "Today in Lok Sabha Opposition, specifically Congress did not allow Question Hour to run. I condemn this act. Parliamentary Affairs Minister clearly said that at 12'o clock the Defence Minister will make a statement on this (Tawang faceoff) in the Parliament."

"I want to say, it is the government of the BJP, Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister and till the BJP government is in power we will not allow anyone to capture even an inch of land. I laud the bravery displayed by our soldiers" he said.