New Delhi: Zakat Foundation of India, which has filed an intervention application with the Supreme Court in Sudarshan News TV’s UPSC Jihad programme case, while admitting that it has received funds from foreign countries and organisaitons, also reiterated that it would have been banned in Britain itself long ago had there been any terror links found.
The foundation, in its application, said that Suresh Chavhanke, the editor of the programme on Sudarshan TV, was cherry picking facts and displays a “deep seated malaise against Muslims.”
The foundation stated on record through its application that it had recieved Rs 29,95,02,038, out of which Rs 1,47,76,279 has been received from four sources located abroad which have been referred to by the channel.
Countering the source of funds the foundation stated as follows:
It said that Madina Trust is a minuscule donor charity registered in Britain.
Regarding Muslim Aid (UK), the applicant contended that the UK would have itself banned the organization already had such prominent terror links as claimed been found.
The foundation has submitted that it has never received from the government any advisory or even a word of caution in respect of any of these four, or any other donor, even though the required information has always been submitted to it meticulously by the foundation every year.
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Zakat India mentioned that Sudarshan TV channel editor Suresh Chavhanke was arrested in 2017, in the month of April at Lucknow airport for hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between religious groups.
The applicant stated that the channel
“had selectively maligned organizations and people, relying on results thrown up by Googling various names. It has also relied on an article by Sam Westrop, who is well known for writing Islamophobic articles.”
-India Legal Bureau