Opposition Aims to Scrap or Review FCRA Bill

Opposition parties are demanding that the government either scrap the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 (FCRA), or send it to a Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) for review. The bill is expected to be debated in Parliament next week.

Congress plans to oppose the bill strongly and has asked its members to attend key sessions on August 10, 11, and 12. The party wants Home Minister Amit Shah to first explain recent police actions against protesters before any debate on the FCRA or other laws.

Opposition leaders argue that the bill targets non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and minority groups while allowing unregulated groups like the RSS to continue receiving foreign funding. They also criticize the government for not clearly stating when the bill will be debated, with Mizoram’s Chief Minister announcing it will come up on August 12, the penultimate day of the Monsoon Session.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said the bill is flawed and should be opposed. He questioned why there are no separate rules for groups like the RSS, calling the announcement of the bill’s debate “demeaning” to Parliament.

DMK leader P. Wilson submitted a detailed memorandum to Home Minister Amit Shah, outlining concerns about the bill. He argued that it would allow the government to seize foreign-funded assets without proper legal process, harming institutions that rely on such funding for services like healthcare and education.

Wilson urged the government to withdraw the bill or refer it to a JPC for further review, warning that the impact would hurt vulnerable communities relying on foreign contributions.