The Congress responded to the Centre's action against the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) and the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT) on Sunday, saying the move is intended to divert public attention away from the country's main issues, news agency PTI reported.
The central government had cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licences of the RGF and the RGCT, two NGOs led by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, for alleged violations of laws.
"They (Centre) recycle old charges against the RGF and RGCT. This is to defame the Congress and divert public attention from issues of day-to-day concern to them," Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh quoted as saying by PTI.
The economy is in deep crisis caused by spiralling prices, unemployment and a falling rupee, he stated further.
Congress general secretary also stated that the move is also rattled due to the success of the on-going Bharat Jodo Yatra, IANS reported.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit slammed the Home Ministry's decision to revoke the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation's (RGF) Foreign Contribution License, claiming that the action was intended to target the Gandhi family, PTI reported.
He referred to it as a "political move."
"This was a political move to target the Gandhi family and the Congress," Dikshit said.
According to Congress leader Sandeep Dixit, such actions have been taken against many NGOs without any basis in recent years.
"To my knowledge, the RGF did not get any special donations from abroad. But NGOs keep FCRA licence."
He questioned the ideological parent of the ruling BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), pointing out that it is not a registered organisation.
"There is no bank account. Where does RSS get funding? If you look in your pocket, you will see only soot," he remarked.
The Centre's decision came after an inter-ministerial committee formed by the home ministry in 2020 conducted investigations. "Yes, the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation's FCRA licence has been cancelled following an investigation," an official told PTI.
Soon after the cancellation, the officer informed the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and its officers that a written notice had been sent to them.
The committee formed by the MHA in July 2020 has pointed out its findings about the violations of various FCRA norms that have resulted in the cancellation of the registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, which was established in 1991, the officer privy to the development said.
(With Inputs From Agencies)