Government Defends Decade-Long FCRA Crackdown Citing Security Concerns

India has a rule called the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, or FCRA, which controls how people and groups can receive money from other countries.

Between 2016 and 2026, the government cancelled or did not renew the registration of many groups that received foreign donations.

The government is now trying to pass a new law to make these rules even stronger.

Government officials say the action stopped secret money channels and groups that spread harmful and extreme ideas.

They say some groups pretended to be charities for education or disability help but used the money to push religious conversions.

Officials also say unchecked foreign money could have funded protests and helped recruit young people.

The government insists the new law is not meant to stop honest charity work.

But opposition leaders and many civil society groups say the rules are too strict.

They worry the law could hurt genuine charities that help people in need.

The big question is how to keep the country safe while allowing good groups to do their work.