Opposition wants FCRA Bill scrapped or referred to JPC

Published 7 August 2026 · politics

Opposition parties want the government to either scrap the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 (FCRA), which is expected to come up for debate in

Opposition parties want the government to either scrap the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 (FCRA), which is expected to come up for debate in Parliament next week, or refer it to a Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) for review. According to sources, the INDIA bloc will take a call on Monday (August 10, 2026) on the modalities of opposing the Bill. The Congress, meanwhile, wants a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the police action against protesters before any debate on the FCRA Bill or any other legislation. “A statement by the Home Minister on the police brutalities and excessive use of force on students protesting at Jantar Mantar is a precursor to a discussion on any Bill in both Houses of Parliament,” Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh told The Hindu. The Congress has also issued a whip to its MPs in both Houses, asking them to be present on August 10, 11 and 12 as “very important” issues will be taken up for discussion.

Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said the party would oppose the Bill and would not allow the government to pass it amid disruptions. “The government is bringing this Bill to target NGOs and minorities, while allowing an organisation like the RSS, which is not registered, to continue getting foreign funding,” Mr. Venugopal said. The Opposition has questioned Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announcing that the Bill would come up for debate on August 12, the penultimate day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, at a time when the Union government has not given any clarity on when it will be taken up. The tentative government business announced in both Houses does not mention the FCRA Bill. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O’Brien said the Bill must be opposed because it is aimed at targeting NGOs and institutions. “The Home Minister, instead of coming to the House, is sitting in his office and doing photo-op meetings,” he said, questioning why there should be a separate set of rules for the RSS.

He took exception to Mr. Lalduhoma “announcing” that the Bill would come up for discussion on August 12. “This is demeaning Parliament and it shows a complete breakdown of communication between the government and the Opposition,” he said. In a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (August 7, 2026) evening, DMK Rajya Sabha leader and chairman of the Joint Action Forum on Minorities P. Wilson submitted a memorandum detailing concerns over the legislation. His principal objection is that the Bill converts a regulatory regime into a confiscatory one. The memorandum notes that under the proposed legislation, if an FCRA certificate is cancelled, surrendered or lapses automatically, foreign contributions and all assets created from them would vest in a government-appointed “designated authority”, without a prior hearing or judicial determination. Wilson said that if a fresh certificate is not obtained within a prescribed period, the assets could be sold or transferred to a government department, with the proceeds going to the Consolidated Fund of India.