National · 26 updates
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha in March, proposes a new framework for managing foreign contributions and assets when an organisation’s registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases. The government says the changes are intended to address administrative and legal gaps, while critics question the breadth of the proposed powers.
Delegation meets Amit Shah; member says Home Minister has told them that the government has “no intention to harass the Christian community”; forum flags ‘deemed cessation of assets’ clause; Bill could be taken up for discussion in Parliament on August 12
Rahul Gandhi briefed opposition parties on discussions regarding the delimitation bill. The opposition maintains its stand on women's reservation within the current Lok Sabha strength. Discussions also covered the FCRA bill, with concerns raised about its impact on minorities. Some members noted potential government removal of retrospective effect clauses. Parliamentary functioning remains contingent on government statements regarding protests and donations.
The forum urged the government to refer the proposed Bill to a JPC.
A.L. Hek says wider consultation is required with all stakeholders before the Bill is taken up for passage in Parliament
The forum said the consequences for beneficiaries will be severe as many schools, health centres, dispensaries and other institutions in remote tribal areas of the northeast, including Assam, were built partly or wholly with foreign contributions precisely because State infrastructure remains inadequate.
Among the organisations that made synchronous appeals on YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp are the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the National Council of Churches in India, and the Council of Churches in Mizoram
In a thread on X, the ambassador to the US has stated that the bill aims to improve transparency, make way for better governance and clearer rules.
Regulating foreign funds sovereign step; US has similar laws: Kwatra
India last week rejected criticism by several US lawmakers over proposed changes to FCRA
Nagaland CM Rio requested the Centre to reconsider the FCRA amendments, highlighting potential negative effects on Christian groups and humanitarian efforts.
Nagaland CM urges Shah to reconsider FCRA amendments, seeks parliamentary panel review
Council of Churches in Mizoram warn that the Bill could empower authorities to seize and sell the assets and properties of churches and NGOs whose FCRA registrations are cancelled or not renewed
The APCLF leaders and representatives of FCRA-registered organisations demand that the proposed amendments be withheld in their entirety, along with a review of the functioning of the FCRA Act, 2010
FCRA Bill sent to JPC via voice note amid fierce protest by Opposition MPs
Union minister Kiren Rijiju said India was not a "banana republic" and that there should be rules and regulations to spend foreign funds. The proposed legislation, aimed to manage the gap in the regulation of foregin fundings to NGOs and curb the proselytisation, was fiercely criticised the opposition that termed the bill "anti minority". Union minister Nityanand Rai moved the motion in the Lok Sabha after the House resumed proceedings.
Akhilesh Yadav calls FCRA Bill anti-minority, Kiren Rijiju says prove it
Lok Sabha adopts the motion to send the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further review
Parliament's Monsoon Session nears end with political tango as FCRA Bill goes to JPC
The committee has been asked to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the 2026 Winter Session of Parliament
The FCRA amendment bill was referred to a 31-member JPC amid Opposition protests, while Amit Shah’s offer to discuss student protests was rejected.
The Assam Christian Forum also appreciated the decision to refer the Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee