Editor,
We are writing to express our concern regarding the registration of a case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against environmental activist and lawyer Bhanu Tatak in connection with allegations of receiving illegal foreign contributions under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA).
The Siang Indigenous Farmer's Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) has publicly condemned the registration of the case and expressed concern over its implications for environmental advocacy and civic participation in Arunachal Pradesh.
At the outset, we recognise that allegations involving foreign contributions and possible violations of the FCRA must be investigated in accordance with Indian law. At the same time, an allegation is not a finding of guilt. Any investigation should therefore be conducted through a transparent, impartial and legally accountable process, with the rights of the person concerned fully protected.
Our appeal
We respectfully call upon the authorities concerned to ensure that:
1. The investigation remains strictly evidence-based.
Any allegation concerning foreign contributions should be established through verifiable financial records, documentary evidence and legally sustainable findings rather than speculation or public assumptions.
2. Due process and legal rights are fully respected. Bhanu Tatak, like any person facing an investigation, should have access to the protections guaranteed under Indian law, including the right to legal representation and a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations.
3. The basis of the case is communicated transparently.
Where legally permissible, the authorities should provide clarity regarding the nature of the alleged violations, the relevant transactions and the statutory provisions invoked.
4. Environmental advocacy should not itself be treated as evidence of wrongdoing. Environmental campaigners, indigenous community representatives, lawyers and civil society organisations have a legitimate role in raising concerns about forests, rivers, land, biodiversity, infrastructure and the social consequences of development projects.
5. The media should maintain responsible reporting standards.
We appeal to media organisations in Arunachal and across India to distinguish clearly between allegations, investigation findings, and established facts, and to avoid presenting an accused person's alleged wrongdoing as proven before the completion of due legal proceedings.
6. The investigation should be completed without unnecessary delay. A prolonged investigation without clarity can have serious consequences for an individual's professional reputation and for the wider civic environment. Where evidence supports the allegations, the law should take its course; where allegations cannot be substantiated, the matter should be resolved accordingly.
Protecting both law and civic space
The issue is not whether laws regulating foreign contributions should be enforced. Indian law must apply equally to individuals and organisations, and legitimate financial regulatory concerns should be properly investigated.
The broader concern is whether such enforcement can take place while preserving legitimate space for environmental advocacy, indigenous community participation and peaceful public debate.
Arunachal is a region of exceptional ecological and cultural importance. Public discussion concerning rivers, forests, land, infrastructure and the rights and livelihoods of indigenous communities is therefore an important part of democratic participation.
We believe that law enforcement and civic freedoms are not mutually exclusive. A strong legal system is one in which allegations are investigated seriously, evidence is examined objectively, and every person is afforded due process.
We therefore urge the CBI and the relevant authorities to conduct the proceedings concerning Bhanu Tatak in a manner that is transparent, impartial, evidence-based and consistent with constitutional and legal safeguards.
We also call upon media organisations in Arunachal and India to give this matter fair and responsible coverage, and to ensure that the distinction between an allegation and an established finding is maintained throughout the reporting process.
This open letter is issued in the interest of transparency, due process, environmental dialogue and the democratic right of citizens to participate in public affairs.
Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum
Youth Wing
