3 weeks ago
India's Foreign Funding Amendment Bill Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee
In India, there is a rule called the FCRA that says charities must get special permission to receive money from other countries.
The government wants to change this rule with a new bill.
The new bill would let the government take control of a charity's foreign money if its permission expires or is taken away.
Some people, including opposition leaders, think this gives the government too much power.
They call the changes "dangerous" and "draconian," which means very harsh.
Churches in a city called Aizawl, in a state called Mizoram, held a big protest because they worry their groups will be hurt.
A lawmaker from the United States also said the bill is an attack on Christians.
The Indian government says this is an internal matter and that the special nature of places of worship will be protected.
To hear everyone's concerns, parliament leaders decided to send the bill to a special committee of 31 members who will study it carefully.
The Lok Sabha referred the 2026 Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed examination on Wednesday.
The bill would allow the Union government to take control of an organisation's foreign funds and assets if its FCRA registration lapses or is cancelled.
Opposition MPs and civil society groups criticised the bill as "dangerous" and "draconian", saying it grants "sweeping and disproportionate powers" to the executive.
A collective of churches in Aizawl, Mizoram, held a large-scale protest on Tuesday, saying the bill would adversely affect religious minorities, churches and NGOs.
US Congressman Riley Moore called the proposed amendments a "clear attack against Christians" on August 5, a criticism rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs as an internal matter.
The 31-member committee, comprising 21 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha members, must submit its report by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session.
- Who
- The Lok Sabha, which referred the bill on a motion by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai; key figures include Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, absent Home Minister Amit Shah, protesting churches in Aizawl, and US Congressman Riley Moore.
- What
- The Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026 was referred to a joint parliamentary committee; the bill lets the government take control of foreign funds and assets if an organisation's FCRA registration lapses or is cancelled.
- Where
- In India — the Lok Sabha in Parliament, with a large-scale protest in Aizawl, Mizoram, and criticism from Washington.
- When
- The bill was referred on Wednesday and was introduced in March during the Budget Session; protests took place on Tuesday and Riley Moore's criticism came on August 5.
- Why
- The government sent the bill for wider consultation after Opposition protests over the executive powers it grants, while the Ministry of External Affairs said legislative matters are decided by Parliament.
Critics and Opposition
Government
Government control of NGO foreign funds
Critics and Opposition
Opposition MPs and civil society groups say the bill grants "sweeping and disproportionate powers" to the executive without adequate constitutional safeguards, describing it as "dangerous" and "draconian."
Government
The government says the bill was sent for wider consultation and that legislative decisions are taken by Parliament; Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Opposition concerns can be raised before the committee.
Impact on churches and religious minorities
Critics and Opposition
Protesting churches in Aizawl say the legislation will adversely affect religious minorities, churches and NGOs and could undermine constitutional safeguards; US Congressman Riley Moore called it a "clear attack against Christians."
Government
The Ministry of External Affairs says the provision applies to all institutions, not just churches, and that the religious character of places of worship would be preserved; legislative matters concerning India are internal affairs.
Foreign criticism and bilateral ties
Critics and Opposition
Riley Moore warned that the proposed changes could hurt relations between Washington and New Delhi, alleging they would allow the government to take control of churches and religious charities.
Government
The Ministry of External Affairs rejected the concern, saying decisions are made by Parliament and noting that several countries, including the US, regulate the flow of foreign funds.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026
- Status
- Referred to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed examination
- Committee composition
- 31 members — 21 from Lok Sabha, 10 from Rajya Sabha
- Introduced
- March, during the Budget Session of Parliament
- Report deadline
- Last day of the first week of the Winter Session
- Key provision
- Power to take control of foreign funds and assets if an organisation's FCRA registration lapses or is cancelled
- NGOs losing FCRA licences (2016-17 to 2021-22)
- More than 6,600
- Foreign contributions (2019-20 to 2021-22)
- More than Rs 55,700 crore received by 13,520 registered organisations
Quotes
Randhir Jaiswal
Spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs
“The Opposition should raise their concerns before the committee.”
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“Legislative matters concerning India are our internal affairs.”
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Riley Moore
US Congressman
“This is a clear attack against Christians.”
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Sources
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