‘Draconian’ FCRA Bill triggers Oppn protest; Centre hits pause button

Amid mounting Opposition pressure and fears of a political backlash in poll-bound states, the Centre on Wednesday put the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 on hold in Parliament.

The climbdown followed a coordinated protest by Opposition MPs, led by the Congress, inside the Parliament complex.

Raising slogans and holding placards, MPs protested and accused the government of tightening its grip on civil society through the proposed changes.

The row has escalated after Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai tabled the Bill. Critics argue that the Bill gives sweeping authority to the state, and control over NGOs and foreign funding.

A key flashpoint is a provision allowing the government to take over assets created using foreign funds if an organisation’s licence is suspended or cancelled.

Opposition parties have called the Bill “draconian” and unconstitutional, warning it threatens the autonomy of civil society, especially groups working with minorities.

Addressing a press conference at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters on Tuesday, Manish Tewari said that the amendment Bill which was tabled in the Parliament tramples and transgresses on the fundamental principles of law and natural justice.

“There is quite a lot of concern with regard to the provisions. We assure the people that when the Bill comes up for discussion, the Congress will take a stand against it and make them refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee or the Standing Committee so that there can be a threadbare discussion,” he said.

The government has pushed back. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the amendments are aimed at ensuring transparency, tightening compliance, and preventing misuse of foreign funds.

The controversy has also taken on electoral overtones, particularly in Kerala, where both the UDF and the LDF have demanded the Bill’s withdrawal. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to the Prime Minister seeking reconsideration.

The Congress accused the government of attempting to “bulldoze” the legislation while the Opposition is engaged in election preparations, calling the move unconstitutional and vowing to resist it.

Congress said on Wednesday: The Modi government is hatching a conspiracy to forcibly pass the FCRA Amendment Bill in Parliament. Not only that — the government is intentionally doing all this at a time when opposition parties are preoccupied with preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in various states. This decision of the Modi government is completely unconstitutional and against democracy. We will not allow this bill to pass at any cost.

For now, the Centre has stepped back — but the standoff continues, reflecting a deeper clash between regulatory control and civil society’s autonomy.