3 weeks ago
Tamil Nadu Assembly Urges Centre to Withdraw FCRA Amendment Bill
The government of India has made a new proposal called the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026.
It affects groups like schools, hospitals and charities that get money from other countries.
These groups need special permission called FCRA registration.
Under the new rule, if a group loses that permission, the government could take over its buildings and other things.
The rule would also create a special office to manage groups that lose their permission.
Tamil Nadu is a state in India with a meeting place called the Legislative Assembly.
On Tuesday, the people in the Assembly voted together to ask the national government to remove the bill in its present form.
They worry the rule would hurt schools and welfare groups run by minority communities.
A member of the BJP party disagreed and said the rule is needed to stop misuse of foreign money.
The Assembly asked the national government to talk with the states and the groups first, and said any new rule must protect people's property and rights.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday urging the Union Government to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 'in its present form'.
Minister Rajmohan moved the resolution, flagging deep concern over provisions allowing the transfer, management, disposal and sale of charitable organisations' assets to the Government.
The Bill proposes a central Designated Authority to manage organisations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed; FCRA certificates are valid for five years.
The Assembly said the provisions could hurt the autonomy of charitable organisations, especially educational and social welfare institutions run by minorities, and sought comprehensive consultations with stakeholders.
BJP legislator Bhojarajan opposed the resolution, calling the amendment necessary to fix accountability, while DMK, AIADMK and DMDK backed it.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and its ministers, including Rajmohan, A M Shahjahan and Vanni Arasu, addressing the Union Government of India; BJP legislator Bhojarajan opposed the resolution.
- What
- Adopted a unanimous resolution urging the Union Government to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 'in its present form'.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chennai, India.
- When
- Tuesday, August 11.
- Why
- Because provisions allowing the Government to take over, manage, dispose of or sell the assets of charitable organisations could adversely affect their autonomy, especially the functioning of educational and social welfare institutions run by minorities.
Critics and the Tamil Nadu Assembly
The Union Government and the BJP
Government control of charitable organisations' assets
Critics and the Tamil Nadu Assembly
A central Designated Authority with power to take over, manage, dispose of and sell the assets of charitable organisations gives the executive broad, unchecked powers and violates property rights and institutional autonomy; institutions with no charges against them should not be taken over.
The Union Government and the BJP
The provisions strengthen administrative oversight and curb financial misuse, preventing foreign funds from being used against national security interests or for forced religious conversions.
Impact on minority-run institutions
Critics and the Tamil Nadu Assembly
The amendment will render the functioning and service of minority institutions uncertain, and provisions like Sections 15 and 16 choke legitimate funding for Christian NGOs and minority-run social welfare and educational institutions.
The Union Government and the BJP
The Centre is only regulating, not opposing, and aims to fix accountability through the amendment, which is necessary; lawfully functioning institutions can be protected while ensuring transparency.
Consultation and federalism
Critics and the Tamil Nadu Assembly
The Bill should be withdrawn and comprehensive consultations held with state governments and all stakeholders, ensuring natural justice, proportionality, property rights, legitimate expectation and federalism.
The Union Government and the BJP
The amendment is necessary and should be taken forward after due consideration because the Centre intends to rectify and regulate the Act to prevent misuse of foreign funds.
Key facts
- Body
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
- Action
- Unanimous resolution urging withdrawal of the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 'in its present form'
- Resolution moved by
- Rajmohan, Minister for Information and Publicity, School Education and Tamil Development
- Bill seeks to amend
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010
- Government's stated aims
- Strengthen administrative oversight, curb financial misuse, prevent foreign funds being used against national security interests or for forced religious conversions
- Proposed mechanism
- Central Designated Authority to take over management on cancellation, surrender or non-renewal of FCRA registration
- FCRA certificate validity
- Five years; becomes invalid if renewal is not applied for
- Party positions
- Backed by DMK, AIADMK and DMDK; opposed by BJP legislator Bhojarajan
Quotes
A M Shahjahan
Tamil Nadu Minorities Welfare Minister
“"The Union Government has introduced the Foreign Contribution Regulation Bill in Parliament to regulate international aid legally. Because of this, educational institutions run by minority organisations and others are being affected."”
wionews.com
“"The institutions that are being handed over to the government must be given an opportunity. If there are no charges against that institution, it should not be taken over through FCRA."”
wionews.com
Sources
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