3 weeks ago
FCRA Amendment Bill referred to joint committee amid Opposition protests
There is a rule in India called the FCRA that controls how groups get money from other countries.
The government wants to change this rule with a new bill called the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026.
The change would let the government watch NGOs and foreign money more closely.
It would also allow the government to take over assets built with foreign money if a group loses its permission.
A big group of lawmakers called a Joint Parliamentary Committee will now study the bill carefully.
Some politicians think the bill is unfair and will hurt groups that help minority communities, and they want it cancelled.
The government says the bill is not about any religion and is only about tracking foreign money.
Leaders from a few Indian states, church groups, and some US politicians also raised concerns.
The committee must give its report by the end of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026.
Everyone will keep discussing what is fair until then.
The Lok Sabha referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee — 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha — for scrutiny.
Opposition parties including Congress, Samajwadi Party and DMK protested, calling the bill 'anti-minority' and targeting NGOs, and demanded its withdrawal.
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the motion; Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju denied it targets minorities and challenged critics to cite one provision against them.
The bill, introduced on March 25, proposes tighter oversight of foreign funding and a 'Designated Authority' to manage and dispose of assets when an organisation's FCRA registration ceases.
The committee must submit its report by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026.
- Who
- India's Lok Sabha, where Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved the referral motion, while Congress, Samajwadi Party and DMK leaders protested.
- What
- The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed scrutiny.
- Where
- Lok Sabha, Parliament of India.
- When
- The motion was passed on Wednesday; the bill was introduced on March 25, and the committee must report by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session 2026.
- Why
- To scrutinise the bill amid opposition claims that it targets NGOs and minorities; the government says the amendments aim to regulate foreign funding.
Opposition and Critics
Government
Targeting minorities and NGOs
Opposition and Critics
Congress, Samajwadi Party and DMK allege the bill targets minorities and NGOs doing good work and must be withdrawn; Akhilesh Yadav said the Opposition has never seen a government bill that was not against minorities.
Government
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the bill is not targeted at any minority community and challenged critics to show one provision against minorities, calling the allegations 'lies'.
Referral to the Joint Parliamentary Committee
Opposition and Critics
The Opposition said it had only just been informed of the referral, still demanded the bill's withdrawal, and questioned Home Minister Amit Shah's absence from the House.
Government
Rijiju said the Congress and other parties had themselves demanded a House committee and can present their points in the JPC; BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said the government agreed to the demand for a 'threadbare discussion'.
International criticism
Opposition and Critics
Some US lawmakers criticised the bill over its potential impact on Christian organisations and civil society groups, with one Republican US Senator warning it could affect US-India ties.
Government
India rejected the criticism, with the foreign ministry describing the proposed changes as an internal legislative matter.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Action
- Referred to 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (21 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha)
- Introduced in Lok Sabha
- March 25
- Committee report deadline
- Last day of first week of Winter Session of Parliament 2026
- Motion moved by
- Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai
- Government stance
- Bill is not religion-specific and aims to regulate foreign contributions
- Opposition stance
- Bill targets minorities and NGOs; demands withdrawal
- MHA clarification (July 22)
- Designated authority manages only assets from foreign contributions after registration lawfully ceases
Quotes
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju
Minister tasked with parliamentary affairs, Government of India
“"I challenge Akhilesh ji to show one provision which is against minorities. Lies are being spread in the country. This country is not a banana republic. There should be rules."”
telegraphindia.com
rediff.com
“"If they have any reservations about the bill, they can speak in the JPC. This is not targeted at any minority community."”
telegraphindia.com
rediff.com
Sources
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