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Indian policemen look on as Greenpeace activists chained to a bank of solar panels block the entry to the residence of Delhi's Power Minister Haroon Yusuf in New Delhi on May 15, 2013. Greenpeace activists demanded that Delhi Government should take steps to improve its performance on the use of renewable source of energy to deal with capital's power crisis. AFP PHOTO/Prakash SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW DELHI -- Soon after the Indian government cancelled the registration of Greenpeace India under the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA), alleging its activities hampered the country's economic growth, the NGO has hit back by recreating nine iconic Bollywood posters that depict real life stories from the organisation's successes and challenges over the last year.
“The cancelling of our FCRA registration is part of the government’s relentless onslaught against the right of all Indians to speak up and demand a healthy environment, good governance, and transparency in public processes,” said Vinuta Gopal, interim co-Executive Director of Greenpeace India, in a press statement. “While our continued existence has been no less dramatic than the best of Bollywood, with twists and turns every day, our story is far from unique. Similar clampdowns have been seen all across the country, but we are confident that people will join our campaign, and send a clear message to those in power: you can’t muzzle dissent in a democracy.”
The Greenpeace India's registration has been cancelled under Section 13 of the FCRA, a senior Home Ministry official said on Thursday. The decision would mean that the NGO will not be able to receive from abroad the funds, which are up to 30 per cent of its overall cost of operations.
According to Greenpeace, the licenses of about 14,000 other NGOs have either been cancelled or suspended over the last year. The organisation claimed that they have enough support from thousands of ordinary Indians to continue their work without foreign money. The organisation's political advisor Nirmala Karunan said it was "ridiculous to see the government trying every pressure tactic they can get away with."
They claimed that they have been on the "receiving end" of the government's ire along with other organisations. The online protest is open to public participation, particularly from other civil society groups facing challenges similar to Greenpeace, the NGO said in its press statement.
“Despite the MHA’s many efforts over the last year, and in good Bollywood tradition, Greenpeace is still alive; the good guys live to fight another day: because we are right, and because we are fighting the good fight," said Gopal. "Our campaigns for a healthier environment and a more sustainable future for all will continue undeterred because in life, as in art, the show must go on.”
Below are the nine posters the NGO created.
(Posters and description courtesy Greenpeace India)
Greenpeace Recreates Bollywood Posters
Swades: We the people(01 of09)
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Set in modern day India, Swades is a film that tackles the big issues of freedom, nationalism and what it means to be Indian, through the protagonists’ struggle to defend people’s rights, and define the diverse country that we call “home”.
3 idiots(02 of09)
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A classic coming-of-age comedy sees college classmates reunited in a search for their long-lost friend. Reprising poignant memories of their mad youth, as they railed against social injustice together, they follow a tumultuous trail to track him down and ask him to help tell the world their stories today. Will he be ready to ignite a new generation?
Andaz Apna Apna(03 of09)
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In this tragi-comedy that has acquired a cult status since the first Intelligence report was suspiciously leaked to the media in June 2014, protagonists try and dodge villains. Watch their hilarious journey as local courts, high courts, tax and immigration departments get involved, playing an elaborate game of hide-and-seek. The recurring twists come via court judgements which keep favouring the protagonists, though the villains blithely ignore the law. Who will win in the end?
Dil Chahta Hai(04 of09)
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Three inseparable childhood friends are just out of college. Nothing comes between them - until circumstances force them to choose between a shared love for their city, and love, life, even personal health. Will one last bid for clean air bring them back?
Mahan: Once upon a time in India(05 of09)
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The year is 2013 and India’s greed for coal is growing unchecked. Raess, an Indian steel and power conglomerate, has just secured rights to mine for coal - but their plans will destroy Mahan, one of Asia’s oldest forests. Outraged, the forest community has rallied together as ‘Mahan Sangharsh Samiti’ (MSS) to save their homes and livelihoods. They challenge Mr Ivar Urai, the owner of Raess, to a game of ‘Gram Sabha: a game of real democracy’, a sport that has been forgotten by the ruling powers. If MSS can defeat the Raess team, not only will they save their home, but also protect more than 50 lakh trees and the livelihoods of more than 50,000 people.
Mr. India(06 of09)
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A large-hearted farmer must risk it all and come up with clever ways to save his family farm when he discovers the evil genius Sonmanto’s plans to release Genetically Modified Organisms into their fields. Will he be able to save his community - and all of India - from the clutches of the megalomaniac organisation? Or will “Sonmanto khush hua” be the last thing he hears as he loses everything?
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron(07 of09)
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A dark satire on the rampant corruption in bureaucracy, news media and business, featuring two bumbling Greenpeace campaigners who accidentally discover the shady side of the Indian tea industry. Supported by a cast of skilled comics, they expose the Indian tea industry’s ‘standard practice’ of selling pesticide laden tea, and mobilise an entire nation to challenge the tea industry to adopt clean and sustainable farming technologies. Is this modern day Mahabharat going to veer away from the original and go the way of the villains or is there still hope?
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham: Its all about loving your country…(08 of09)
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Campaigning together for a sustainable future, the Greenpeace India family take great pride in and show great passion for their country. But the Ministry of Home Affairs has other ideas, and launches a protracted war against the family. As baseless allegations and false charges throw the family into dire circumstances, this also makes them realise that they need to stick together in hard times and speak up for their beliefs and love for the country.
A Wednesday(09 of09)
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Greenpeace India staff and supporters remember the fateful Wednesday that changed their lives. 11th of June 2014, the day a leaked alleged Intelligence Bureau report branded the organisation as a ‘threat to national economic security’. A day that has altered the way they function - the case of an organisation fighting for India’s environment, a leaked and malicious government document and more than 75000 Indians backing the organisation.
-- This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which
closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions
or concerns about this article, please contact
indiasupport@huffpost.com.