Shashi Tharoor Says FCRA Amendment Bill 'About Control, Not Transparency'; Calls For Opposition Unity

Published 6 August 2026 · politics

News india Shashi Tharoor Says FCRA Amendment Bill 'About Control, Not Transparency'; Calls For Opposition Unity Shashi Tharoor Says FCRA Amendment Bill 'About Control, Not

News india Shashi Tharoor Says FCRA Amendment Bill 'About Control, Not Transparency'; Calls For Opposition Unity Shashi Tharoor Says FCRA Amendment Bill 'About Control, Not Transparency'; Calls For Opposition Unity Published By, Last Updated: August 06, 2026, 11:52 IST Shashi Tharoor has slammed the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, alleging it grants sweeping executive powers over NGO assets as the Centre prepares to push it in Parliament. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued that the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill is "about control, not transparency" and urged the Opposition to seek a Select Committee review. (Photo: PTI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has slammed the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, calling it “about control, not transparency" and alleging that it grants the executive sweeping powers over the assets of organisations receiving foreign contributions. In an opinion piece published by The Indian Express, Tharoor argued that the proposed amendments introduce “an unprecedented mechanism of control that bypasses traditional legal protections." His remarks come as the Centre is likely to seek passage of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Tharoor Raises Concerns Over Designated Authority Tharoor criticised the Bill’s proposal to establish a centrally appointed Designated Authority empowered to take charge of an organisation’s foreign funds and physical properties if its FCRA registration is suspended, cancelled or denied renewal. “The Amendment introduces an unprecedented mechanism of control that bypasses traditional legal protections," he wrote. According to Tharoor, the proposed framework would allow assets to provisionally vest with the Designated Authority, enabling the government to manage and ultimately sell such properties while crediting the proceeds to the Consolidated Fund of India, even where an asset was only partly funded through foreign contributions.

ALSO READ | Shashi Tharoor To Attend RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Gen Z-Gen Alpha Event? Here’s What Congress MP Says He also objected to the proposed concept of “deemed cessation", under which an organisation’s FCRA registration would automatically cease if renewal is not granted or applied for within the prescribed time, immediately restricting access to foreign funds and related assets. Warns Of Impact On Charitable Institutions Referring to institutions in his home state of Kerala, Tharoor said Christian-run charitable trusts, hospitals, schools, medical colleges and welfare organisations have served marginalised communities for generations using a combination of domestic resources and foreign grants. He argued that linking administrative decisions on FCRA licences with the takeover of physical assets would create uncertainty for such institutions. “A single administrative delay or an adverse ruling by the Ministry of Home Affairs could instantaneously convert a functioning 500-bed charitable hospital into state property," Tharoor wrote, adding that “the victims are the ordinary Indians who are the beneficiaries of these facilities." Alleges Constitutional Issues Tharoor further contended that organisations whose FCRA registrations are suspended or withdrawn would be left with limited legal recourse, forcing them into prolonged litigation before constitutional courts. He argued that the proposed provisions could invite challenges under Article 300A concerning the right to property, Article 14 relating to equality before law, and Articles 25 and 26 protecting religious freedom and the management of religious institutions. ALSO READ | ‘Irony Just Died Again’: Shashi Tharoor After SC Closes Coal Block Case Against Manmohan Singh According to Tharoor, charitable organisations would have to divert resources from healthcare and education to defend themselves in court while simultaneously seeking protection against the takeover of their assets.