The main opposition party said it was “sad and amusing” that the scholars of a think tank could scare the government. In a written statement released by the party, All India Professionals Congress chairman Praveen Chakravarty said: “For a government that often boasts of leading the nation to a global superpower status, it is both sad and amusing that a think tank of scholars should scare them. The Centre for Policy Research is one of India’s pre-eminent research institutions that has produced stellar research and reputed scholars over five decades. Scholarly excellence rests on the foundation of freedom of thought and expression. CPR’s global reputation implicitly meant that their scholars could not be forced to bow to any diktats.”
Congress has been consistently backing non-profit independent organisations. The open support also comes at a time when the party is trying to garner their support ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Chakravarty said: “As a former scholar in a think tank, I personally understand the enormous importance of research integrity and objective expression. The Narendra Modi government feared CPR for its uprightness and has resorted to a vindictive act of snuffing its funding by terminating its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence.”
Terming the BJP government as “thick-skinned” and the cancellation as a “petty act of cowardice”, Ckaravarty said it was ironical that the government “craved” for international acknowledgment and respect. He said: “Glitzy shows of G-20, ubiquitous posters of the prime minister and hugging world leaders are not what will propel India to the global stage. Instead, respect for institutions, fostering freedom of expression and a scientific temper of tolerance are what will earn reverence and goodwill for our nation… Cancelling the licence of a research institution such as CPR will deal a death blow to India’s rich tradition of scholarship and rigorous thought by sending a signal to all other scholars and their institutions. It is a matter of shame for us that the mighty government of India should be so timid to feel bullied by a group of scholars and their research.”
