Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) recently approached the Ministry of Home Affairs with a formal complaint against the Christian NGO Jesus Redeems, based in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin. The complaint, which alleges serious violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) provisions, was accessed by HinduPost and reveals intricate details of the accusations.

The criminal history of the founder of Jesus Redeems

Mohan C Lazarus, the individual behind the Christian organization Jesus Redeems, has faced legal troubles for engaging in religious proselytization activities accompanied by anti-Hindu statements that have disrupted communal harmony. Multiple FIRs have been registered against him in different Tamil Nadu police stations under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Notably, the Regional Passport officer refused to issue a new passport to Mohan Lazarus for intentionally suppressing information about pending criminal cases.

In February 2021, the Madras High warned Lazarus for making reckless statements against Hindus and Hindu Dharma. However, he secured relief through a case asserting his ‘Right to Travel’ under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Details of the cases are provided in the below table:

FCRA Violations

Jesus Redeems is a registered Christian religious organization under the Indian Trusts Act 1882 and holds FCRA registration number 076160018. The LRPF complaint emphasizes recent amendments to the FCRA rules, which explicitly prohibit the Chief Functionary of the recipient Indian organization from being part of the donor organization. Jesus Redeems is accused of receiving significant foreign contributions from its US counterpart, ‘Jesus Redeems Ministries Inc.’

Foreign Funds From Compassion International

The LRPF complaint uncovers a complex web of foreign donations from Compassion International (USA) to Jesus Redeems through Caruna Bal Vikas, an NGO based in Chennai. Documents indicate substantial contributions, raising questions about the relationship between Jesus Redeems and Compassion International.

LRPF highlights that foreign donations from Compassion International (USA) intended for Caruna Bal Vikas, a Chennai-based NGO, have been redirected to Jesus Redeems. Between 2009 and 2015, Jesus Redeems received over Rs. 1.5 crore from Caruna Bal Vikas under the guise of ‘welfare of children.’

From 2014 onwards, Compassion International began contributing directly to the FCRA-designated bank account of Jesus Redeems, totalling Rs. 1,13,04,681. This suggests a close affiliation between Jesus Redeems, Compassion International (US), and Caruna Bal Vikas. Annexure 7 provides a detailed breakdown of foreign contributions from Caruna Bal Vikas and Compassion International (US).

In 2017, the Bharatiya government banned Compassion International (US) from donating to Indian NGOs due to controversies involving child conversion and fundraising through child sponsorship schemes globally and in Bharat. Subsequently, the Economic Offenses Wing of the CBI registered an FIR against Chennai-based organizations Caruna Bal Vikas and M/s Adhane Management Consultants Pvt Ltd.

The complaint, filed by the Director, FCRA Wing, Ministry of Home Affairs, outlined allegations of Caruna Bal Vikas engaging in religious activities, including conversions to Christianity, thereby disturbing communal harmony and violating FCRA, 2010. The complaint further implicated Compassion International India in funding these activities.

The Chinese Link

The complaint highlights a foreign contribution of ₹6,21,274 from BRO Devakumar VG Edwin, the Managing Director of DANGOTE Group, Nigeria, which has connections with a Chinese state-owned company, Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd. This link raises concerns about potential foreign influence, especially in the context of recent arrests tied to Chinese propaganda funding.

LRPF’s complaint notes that it is evident that China is actively seeking to influence the Bharatiya public through financial means. A recent incident involving the arrest of Prabir Purkayastha, Founder of the NewsClick website, and Amit Chakravorty, Head of the Human Resources division, by the Delhi Police, has brought attention to the issue. The arrests were made on charges of conspiring to disrupt Bharat’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, causing disaffection and threatening the country’s unity and integrity, all involving foreign contributions violating the FCRA Act, 2010.

The investigative report published by The New York Times implicated NewsClick in receiving funding from a network promoting Chinese propaganda, leading to these arrests. This highlights the broader concern of foreign influences impacting Bharat’s internal affairs.

In the context of Jesus Redeems in Tuticorin, it becomes imperative to scrutinize the motivations behind a mining company with close ties to Chinese state-owned enterprises and an Indian NGO. Understanding the intentions behind such contributions is crucial, considering the recent arrests related to foreign funding and its potential implications for national security. This situation underscores the thorough examination of foreign contributions and their possible links to external influences, aligning with the broader efforts to safeguard Bharat’s sovereignty and integrity.

DANGOTE Group

Dangote Group is a Nigerian mining conglomerate with extremely close ties to Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd, a Chinese state-owned and state-administered company. Sinoma International Engineering Co., Ltd. is a prominent member company affiliated with China National Building Materials Group Co., Ltd. under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC).

Nigeria has made China its largest trading partner, replacing the United States of America. Chinese state-owned Sinoma International Engineering Co., Ltd has signed a deal worth $4.3bn (£2.8bn) to build factories for a Nigerian cement company belonging to Dangote Group. (See Annexure 4).

Publication Activities

Jesus Redeems publishes monthly magazines without complying with necessary FCRA Act 2010 mandates for NGOs engaged in publishing activities. The LRPF has called for verification of compliance regarding the official magazine and questioned the basis of receiving donations from Bharatiya residents.

It is also pertinent to note that the said organization Jesus Redeems is publishing monthly magazines in Tamil, English, Hindu, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam languages to which Mohan Lazarus alias Mohan C. Lazarus is the editor-in-chief, owner and publisher. Mohan C. Lazarus is publishing the said magazines on behalf of NGO Jesus Redeems, registered separately with the Registrar of Newspapers in India (RNI). Details of the monthly magazines, their respective RNI registration numbers, and places of publishing are provided in the table below:

LRPF’s Call for Action

Given the gravity of the allegations, the LRPF urges the Ministry of Home Affairs to suspend Jesus Redeems FCRA registration immediately and conduct a thorough investigation into its activities. The complaint outlines potential FCRA violations, foreign influence concerns, and legal issues surrounding the chief functionary, Mohan C. Lazarus. The LRPF’s call for action aims to ensure transparency and adherence to regulations within the NGO sector.