Amnesty International India on Tuesday took to Twitter announcing that it was halting its work in the country as the Government of India had frozen its bank accounts. Additionally, the company has also let go of staff in India.
"The complete freezing of Amnesty International India’s bank accounts by the Government of India which it came to know on 10 September 2020, brings all the work being done by the organization to a grinding halt. The organisation has been compelled to let go of staff in India and pause all its ongoing campaign and research work," began an article on the Amnesty International India website.
Calling this the latest development in an "incessant witch-hunt of human rights organizations" by the Indian government, the organisation also said that it the company "stands in full compliance with all applicable Indian and international laws".
Social media however is rather divided over this development. While many lamented the "throttling all human rights work in India" others rejoiced at the news.
"A short story in NewIndia in two pictures.. @amnesty forced to shut its India operations! A State that sees human rights advocacy as criminal... Who is still denying the path this country is treading on????" tweeted actor Swara Bhasker sharing a news article wherein an Amnesty report had accused the Delhi Police of torture violence and other human rights violations.
"Best News So Far. Bye Bye Amnesty International - One of the most Anti-India Orgs (sic)," tweeted another user.
Now it must be noted that one does can agree or disagree with Amnesty and its viewpoint and work. However, as one Twitter user noted, "it should be a matter of deep concern for everyone, including its critics, that Amnesty doesn’t feel able to do its work in India". Many others have also argued that this does not set a good precedent.
Take a look at some of the posts:
