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Assam charity slapped with ‘sedition’ charges!

AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal’s trust, Ajmal Foundation, accused of receiving funds from foreign terror groups; allegations emerge after AIUDF-Congress alliance for BTC polls

Ajmal

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) from Dhubri in Assam, came in for a rude shock on December 4, when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Satya Ranjan Bohra filed a First Information Report (FIR) against his charity Ajmal Foundation, accusing it of getting foreign funding from terror groups.

The Telegraph reported that the FIR was filed under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 1204A (sedition) and 420 (cheating) read with Section 13 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

Ajmal has, however, denied all charges. Speaking to media persons on December 5, Ajmal said, “I have always kept my life as a politician and as a philanthropist separate. I have maintained a clear demarcation in events that I attend in different capacities. I am not afraid and we are ready to face any challenge.”

Ajmal also clarified, “NGOs from which Ajmal Foundation received funds faced no objection in the country in which they operate, including UK and other European Countries. Those NGOs are clean and there is no proof of their involvement in any illegal activities.”

Bohra’s FIR came in wake of a series of tweets by a group called Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) that by its own admission engages in “Legal Activism to safeguard Indian interest, Human Rights of armed forces n Hindu cause.”

The LRO started tweeting against Ajmal Foundation on December 2, accusing it of not only receiving foreign funding from international NGOs with terror links, but also diverting the foreign funds for political purposes:

On December 4, LRO made another series of allegations against Markazul Maarif, another charity run by Badruddin Ajmal. Once again, LRO accused the charity of receiving funds from foreign NGOs that are associated with terrorist groups.

 

 

Bohra has now also filed another FIR against Markazul Maarif.

Meanwhile, Ajmal feels he is being targeted for his growing proximity with the Congress Party in Assam. “A few days ago, I was seen shaking hands with a few Congress leaders. This NGO that is connected with the RSS started making allegations about me from the next day onwards,” said Ajmal. “I can account for every penny and release the break-up of all finances. As far as FCRA violation is concerned, we submit reports every three months to the Home Ministry,” he added.

The AIUDF has recently joined hands with the Congress to jointly fight the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections. Polling for the first phase covering 21 seats in Udalgiri and Baksa districts ended with a voter turnout of 75 percent. Polling will be held for 19 seats in Chirang and Kokrajhar on December 10. Polls were previously scheduled to take place in April, but put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Governor had taken over temporary charge after the BTC’s term ended.

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