FCRA Amendment Sparks Political Row Over Minority Rights and National Security

PTI, Apr 01, 2026, New Delhi : The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, triggered a sharp political divide on Wednesday, with the BJP defending the move as crucial for national security and transparency, while the Opposition claimed it could curtail minority rights and tighten government control over NGOs.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma rejected the Opposition's allegation that the Bill targets minorities, saying, “The government does not differentiate between minorities and majorities as the opposition does. National security is the government's foremost priority.” He added, “If foreign funds received by NGOs are used for protests against the government, or for media and social media misinformation, or to promote Naxalism, then it is certainly necessary for the government to impose restrictions in the interest of national security.”

BJP MP Ghulam Ali Khatana accused the Congress of marginalising minorities. “They have pushed minorities to the margins, and now they try to frighten and intimidate them. They want to turn them into a vote bank,” he said. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not believe in appeasement. Everyone is a respected citizen. Any community, any NGO, as long as they work within the framework of the law, will get an opportunity to grow in the country,” Khatana added.

Opposition parties, however, staged a strong protest against the Bill. Several MPs, led by the Congress, demonstrated in the Parliament House complex, displaying a banner reading ‘Stop Targeting NGOs and Institutions’ and raising slogans demanding the withdrawal of the legislation. Among the protesters were Congress MPs Manish Tewari, Hibi Eden, SP leaders Dimple Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav, IUML’s ET Mohammad Basheer, NCP(SP)’s Supriya Sule, and RSP’s NK Premchandran.

Congress MP Manish Tewari described the amendments as “unconstitutional,” stating, “It is arbitrary, malafide, and capricious. It does not measure on the touchstone of constitutionality.” He cited violations of Articles 14, 19, and 300A of the Constitution. Congress MP Hibi Eden argued that existing provisions were already stringent, adding, “It is unfortunate that an organisation founded by the late Mother Teresa had its FCRA registration cancelled in 2021.”

SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav criticised the government for bringing legislation that he said has not benefited common people. SP MP Dimple Yadav alleged that the amendment seeks to tighten control over institutions, saying, “I believe that through this, the government is trying to tighten its grip on institutions that are doing good work. What is being done is not democratic.”

The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, specifies that individuals using foreign funding for forced religious conversion will not be spared. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai stated that the legislation aims to enhance transparency and ensure proper utilisation of foreign funds. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasised that the Bill is designed to safeguard national security and interests, not to target any religious organisation.