Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 3: In a fresh criticism of Indian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Western media, Amit Malviya, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) in-charge of National Information & Technology Department, has hinted at the involvement of the "deep state" in a coordinated effort to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a social media post on Monday, Malviya accused a wide network of Western entities—including governments, parliaments, think tanks, media outlets, and religious organizations—of relentlessly pushing a negative narrative about India since the BJP came to power in 2014. He claimed that this campaign had intensified in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Malviya listed several prestigious publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, The Economist, and others, which he said had all promoted critical views on India’s democracy and its treatment of minorities. He noted that some of these outlets had even called for voters to oppose Modi’s re-election, further fueling the perception of a concerted international effort against the Indian government.

"It is not a coincidence that these attacks on Modi and the BJP government in Western circles were closely aligned with political attacks by India’s opposition," Malviya remarked, alluding to the domestic political opposition’s coordination with international critics.

Foreign Funding and Anti-National Allegations

Malviya also delved into the issue of foreign funding for Indian NGOs, claiming that the BJP government had been forced to tighten regulations after evidence emerged suggesting that these organizations were engaged in activities contrary to India’s national interests. He specifically pointed to the Open Society Foundation, founded by philanthropist George Soros, alleging that it had been politically active in opposing Modi and promoting a narrative against India's democratic practices.

"The Open Society Foundation, particularly, has been openly active politically against Prime Minister Modi, and its connection with USAID has now been revealed," Malviya wrote on X, a social media platform.

Malviya’s comments also touched on the broader issue of foreign funding for Indian NGOs, which he claimed were mobilizing local populations against development projects. He asserted that the Modi government had cracked down on foreign funding to prevent NGOs from undermining the country’s interests.

U S Election Interference Allegation

Further fueling the controversy, Malviya criticized the previous Joe Biden-led U.S. administration for approving a $21 million grant to influence "voter turnout" in India. He labeled the initiative as an example of "external interference" in India’s democratic process, questioning who stood to gain from such foreign funding. Malviya remarked, "Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!"

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, recently canceled the grant, which had been issued under Biden’s administration. This cancellation came in the wake of growing concerns over foreign influence in India's electoral processes.

Malviya’s remarks reflect the BJP’s ongoing criticism of foreign intervention in India’s politics, especially in the context of its domestic and international image under Prime Minister Modi.