Third Sector Vs State

To all my friends who believed they could bring change with NGOs, the new Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Act -2020 is a big blow.

Why civil society organisations are crucial and how killing them will lead to a no voice for the commons cannot be negated. There are various vantage points from which this topic can be and needs to be assessed. 

Why government wants to curb CSOs and subdue them. It has been explained and counter argued in various forms and ways during last few days from the context of FCRA. However, it is not only important as a professional to be aware about what FCRA is capable of and how it will affect the personnel working in the third sector, but also the deeper intention. The perspective of vibrant civil society and hegemonic state has been widely debated and the political economy behind has been well researched topic. But to read it again with FCRA in perspective is need of the hour and a reminder that a third sector is needed not only for the citizen but also for the state.

 As a believer of active community participation, I could not stop myself any further on speaking about what is bothering me and most of my fraternity

Civil, aware and responsive, civil society is a bridge between state and individual in a liberal democracy but looks like we do not want a welfare, liberal, democratic State anymore. At least the political will of subduing the CSOs is manifested by the FCRA-2020 coming into picture. 

The first in line of this read is understanding the political history of the civil society followed by various threads such as good governance, vibrant democracy, information and accountability, and strengthening government policies in welfare and development.