3 weeks ago
Congress to Oppose FCRA Amendment Bill, Says Kharge
The Indian government wants to change a law called the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, which controls how organizations in India receive money from other countries.
Many opposition political parties do not like this change.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says his party will fight against the new bill.
He spoke about this during a trip to Uttarakhand to encourage party workers before upcoming state elections.
He also said opposition leaders will meet on Monday to plan their next steps.
The government says the new bill will make foreign donations more transparent and accountable.
But opponents say the government cannot force the bill through Parliament.
Some religious leaders also raised concerns about the bill.
The Home Minister has assured them that the new rules will not apply to things done in the past.
He will discuss these concerns in Parliament starting August 12.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the party will oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill.
Opposition floor leaders will discuss strategy on Monday; the Bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha in the last week of the Monsoon Session.
Congress leader KC Venugopal asserted the government cannot bulldoze this type of bill through Parliament.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said Amit Shah assured the amendments would not be retrospective, with parliamentary discussions set to begin August 12.
DMK president MK Stalin urged the government to withdraw the Bill and repeal Section 15 of the FCRA, citing a Joint Action Forum on Minorities delegation that met Amit Shah on August 6.
- Who
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition leaders including DMK's MK Stalin and Congress's KC Venugopal, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Congress and several opposition parties announced they will oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill.
- Where
- Rudrapur and Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India.
- When
- Kharge's statement came on Saturday; the Bill is expected in the Lok Sabha in the last week of the Monsoon Session, with parliamentary discussions to begin August 12.
- Why
- Opposition parties say the government cannot bulldoze the Bill through Parliament, while the government says it aims to enhance transparency and accountability in regulating foreign contributions.
Opposition Parties
Union Government
FCRA Amendment Bill
Opposition Parties
The Bill should be withdrawn; the government cannot bulldoze it through Parliament.
Union Government
The Bill enhances transparency and accountability in the regulation of foreign contributions.
Impact on religious and minority organisations
Opposition Parties
Christian community members, religious leaders and the Joint Action Forum on Minorities oppose certain provisions and pressed for the Bill's withdrawal.
Union Government
The Home Minister met with representatives and assured them that the amendments would not be retrospective.
Key facts
- Key Announcement
- Congress will oppose the FCRA Amendment Bill
- Expected Introduction
- Lok Sabha, last week of the Monsoon Session
- Parliamentary Discussions
- Begin August 12, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Bill Amends
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010
- Stated Objective
- Enhance transparency and accountability in regulation of foreign contributions
- Lalduhoma-Shah Meeting
- Held Thursday; assurance that amendments would not be retrospective
- Joint Action Forum Delegation
- Led by DMK MP P Wilson, met Amit Shah on August 6; pressed for withdrawal of the Bill
- DMK Demand
- Withdraw the Bill and repeal Section 15 of the FCRA
Quotes
DMK President MK Stalin
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party president
“I am the AICC President. I cannot come here every day, but our army is present here… Does PM Modi come here every day? Does Amit Shah come here? Does Nadda, even though he hails from this very region, come here? Does the new BJP President come here? We visit when and where it is necessary to energise our party workers. That does not mean we simply arrive and leave like tourists.”
theprint.in
“In a post on X, Stalin said a delegation of the Joint Action Forum on Minorities, led by DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson and comprising religious leaders from various denominations, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 6 and pressed for withdrawal of the Bill.”
theprint.in
Sources
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