FCRA bill attack on minorities, but EPS silent: Stalin

Madurai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who speaks about protecting minorities, is silent on the Union govt's Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which is an attack on religious freedom, said chief minister M K Stalin in Kanyakumari district on Saturday.Addressing a campaign meeting in Nagercoil for DMK and alliance candidates, Stalin said the bill paves the way for cancelling a Christian organisation's registration, citing minor delays in submitting documents other reasons, and to seize their funds and properties including hospitals and schools. "I was the first to raise my voice against FCRA Amendment Bill, and recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw it," he said. He said BJP slightly stepped back from this move as elections are to be held in Kerala and Assam, which have a large Christian population. However, they plan to convene a special session of Parliament to pass the bill. FCRA Bill will create an indelible damage on India at the global level. EPS says he would protect minorities, but remains silent on FCRA Bill. "Palaniswami has become subservient to BJP to protect his name board as AIADMK general secretary," he said.Stalin said PM Modi has created a situation wherein India has no influence even with smaller neighbours. "Since BJP govt does not care about fishermen from Tamil Nadu, there has been continuous attack by Sri Lankan navy on them," he said. When Congress was in power, Modi said such attacks happen because then PM Manmohan Singh was weak. "Such attacks on fishermen still continue. Will PM Modi now accept he is a weak PM," he said.Saying that the Dravidian model govt has implemented various schemes for fishermen's welfare, Stalin made two new promises: The age limit for enrolment in Fishermen Welfare Board will be raised from 65 to 70 years, and monthly pension will be provided to its members aged 70 to 75 years.Later in the evening, Stalin participated in a meeting at Sankarankovil for DMK and alliance candidates in Tenkasi district. There, he asked what good AIADMK and BJP have done for Tamil Nadu and its people. "PM Modi is now making people wait for LPG cylinders," he said.Stalin alleged Tamil Nadu has witnessed destruction in the past four years of BJP's proxy rule under EPS's name. "In this election, we are not fighting just for the victory of DMK but for the victory of Tamil Nadu," he added.