TN: Governor RN Ravi Says Sterlite Protest Was 'Foreign Funded'; Remarks Come After Home Ministry Says NGO That Organised Protest Under Scrutiny For FCRA Violation

During a programme for civil services aspirants at the Raj Bhavan, Governor RN Ravi said that the protests against the Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi were 'foreign-funded.'

His remarks came a day after Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai had said in the Rajya Sabha that the ministry was probing allegations of misuse of foreign funds by 'The Other Media', which is the NGO that organised the protests.

Rai added that the ministry has received a reply to a questionnaire sent to the NGO and as per the data received, it had utilised Rs 2.79 crore out of Rs 3.54 crore received in foreign contributions between 2019 and 2021.

Governor Ravi said, "It was entirely foreign funding activities that led to the protest. Unfortunately there was police firing that cost innocent lives. That is the very sad part of it. But they wanted Sterlite to be closed. Sterlite was providing 40% of the country’s copper needs. And you know how important copper is for the electronics industry.”

The supporters of the protest contend that the copper plant had been harming the environment of the region and causing health issues.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies have criticised Governor RN Ravi's remarks that the protests against the Sterlite copper plant in 2018 were 'foreign-funded.'

Kanimozhi, who is the Thoothukudi MP and Deputy General Secretary of the DMK said that she condemned the Governor who had defamed the people's struggle.

The Sterlite copper plant, owned by the Vedanta Group was shut in 2018, after the death of 13 persons in police firing.

Also Read: In Numbers: What Was Lost With Closure Of Sterlite Copper In Tuticorin

Thoothukudi Sterlite Copper Closure: Many Protesters Now Feel Misled; Want Reopening Of Plant