Priya Pillai would have shown India in bad light, explains MHA - The Indian Express

Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai. (Source: Twitter)

In an affidavit placed before the Delhi High Court, the Home Ministry has said that Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai’s testimony before a British Parliamentary Committee would have led to a “false depiction” of “India’s effort” to “protect” the rights of the tribal community.

It has also raised concerns that it could have sent negative signals globally, especially when the central government “is inviting foreign businesses to invest in India”.

The Ministry has further said that Pillai testimony would serve only the interests of the “foreign” country.

It has also said that the lookout circular, which led to Pillai’s offloading, was “issued” not to “restrict all the freedoms” of the activist and added that the move was “focused only on the proposed activity” – of her deposing before the parliamentary panel.

The Home Ministry had on February 13 placed a 24-page affidavit before the Delhi High Court, defending its decision to prevent Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai from speaking before the British parliamentary panel against a mining project in M P.