Greenpeace India Society on Friday said that it received a notice from the Tamil Nadu Registrar of Societies (RoS), summarily announcing cancellation of its registration as a society. It further stated that the cancellation of registration has come at a time when several international leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General, have upheld the importance of civil society in healthy democracies. Greenpeace India termed this notice as the latest assault on free speech in India. Greenpeace India said that it will seek legal redress. Reacting to the latest row, Vinuta Gopal, Interim Executive Director, said: "The RoS is clearly acting under directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi, which has been trying to shut Greenpeace India down for over a year now. The MHA's clumsy tactics to suppress free speech and dissenting voices are turning into a major national and international embarrassment for this government," she said, adding, "This is an extension of the deep intolerance for differing viewpoints that sections of this government seem to harbour. The Registrar has passed this order without granting Greenpeace a hearing, and without complying with the Madras High Court order to address each of our points and queries. This is a blatant attempt to circumvent the legal process and shows no respect for the law." Ms. Gopal said that she was confident that Greenpeace India is on strong legal ground. "We have faith in the legal process and are confident of overcoming this order," she said.