Climate advocates face scrutiny as India expands coal dependence

By A Representative 

The National Alliance for Climate and Environmental Justice (NACEJ) has strongly criticized what it described as coercive actions against climate activists Harjeet Singh and Sanjay Vashisht, following enforcement raids reportedly carried out on the basis of alleged violations of foreign exchange regulations and intelligence inputs. 

In a statement issued on 16 January 2026, the alliance demanded an immediate halt to investigations and withdrawal of all charges, alleging that the agencies involved have operated without transparency or disclosure of credible evidence. It said that the actions appeared motivated less by legal scrutiny and more by an effort to deter voices calling for fossil fuel reduction and accountability from major carbon emitters.

According to NACEJ, the Enforcement Directorate and other allied agencies have relied on unnamed sources, unofficial briefings and unverified claims rooted in national security concerns and assertions of risks to energy security. The organisation maintained that this pattern of investigation amounts to harassment, creating a climate of fear and undermining constitutionally protected freedoms of expression, association and peaceful advocacy. It said that democratic institutions require scrutiny of major polluters and open debate on the ecological risks faced by communities, rather than punitive measures directed at civil society actors.

Both Singh and Vashisht have played prominent roles in national and international advocacy on climate justice, fossil fuel phase-down and just transition pathways. NACEJ noted that their work has consistently remained in the public domain, involving engagement with global networks and policy forums, and contributing to research and dialogue on climate impacts in India and the Global South. It argued that equating peaceful policy advocacy with national threat narratives is not justified and signals a shrinking civic space for independent research, community mobilisations and criticism of government policy.

NACEJ described the recent measures as part of a wider pattern involving the use of regulatory and investigative structures to constrain public-interest groups raising concerns about environmental harm, displacement and high-carbon development. It cited earlier actions targeting organisations including Greenpeace India, Environics Trust, LIFE and the Centre for Policy Research as instances where operational restrictions, legal actions or funding interventions were deployed following government discomfort with their findings or campaigns. The alliance said that while India has set ambitious renewable energy goals, institutional responses remain oriented toward coal, with government plans indicating continued investment in coal-fired generation until at least 2032.

Pointing to documents such as the National Electricity Plan, 2023 and subsequent instructions from the Ministry of Power, NACEJ said that absolute coal capacity is likely to continue increasing, alongside directives preventing early retirement of thermal power stations. It argued that the social, ecological and public health consequences of coal reliance are being aggravated by the criminalisation of dissent by communities and organisations attempting to highlight these impacts. It said that flash floods, landslides, drought recurrence and hazardous air pollution require attention to governance and accountability rather than punitive state action.

The alliance alleged that instead of monitoring and regulating major emitters, the state is providing a “free hand” to industries expanding their fossil fuel footprint, including through carbon market mechanisms that NACEJ argues risk enabling continued emissions rather than meaningful mitigation. It said that India’s climate transition requires democratic protection of critical viewpoints and recognition of international collaboration as a legitimate part of climate policy work.

The statement reiterated demands for termination of investigative action against Singh and Vashisht, and for the government to refrain from using regulatory laws to deter civil society engagement on climate issues. It emphasized that peaceful advocacy, evidence-based campaigning and participation in international networks are lawful activities consistent with both climate objectives and constitutional freedoms.

The call was endorsed by 37 researchers, academics, activists and representatives from organisations across India, including Karnataka, Delhi, Goa, Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The endorsement list spans climate policy researchers, environmental defenders, ecologists, educators, documentary filmmakers and grassroots movement collectives associated with platforms such as Fridays For Future, the National Alliance of People’s Movements, Rainbow Warriors and multiple community groups challenging coal, mining and ecological degradation.

The statement was issued by the National Alliance for Climate and Environmental Justice (NACEJ-NAPM), with contact details provided for further information. NACEJ describes itself as a nationwide network of movement leaders, scientists, researchers and legal practitioners committed to addressing the climate crisis through an ecological and social justice lens grounded in human rights and coexistence.