Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee Amid Opposition Protest

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee Amid Opposition Protest

New Delhi, Aug. 12: The Central government on Wednesday referred the controversial Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) amid strong protests from Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai moved the resolution to send the bill to the JPC after the proposal was taken up in the House. The committee will comprise 21 members from the Lok Sabha, to be nominated by the Speaker, and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha, to be nominated by the Chairman.

The move triggered protests from Opposition MPs, who also questioned the absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. They pointed out that the resolution was initially listed under Shah’s name in the Lok Sabha’s Supplementary List of Business.

The Opposition has been opposing the proposed legislation, alleging that it would adversely affect non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and minority institutions.

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal termed the legislation “anti-minority” and argued that it would target NGOs and minority institutions engaged in welfare activities. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also opposed the bill and demanded that it be withdrawn, saying the entire Opposition stood against the proposed amendments.

Responding to the criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government’s decision to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. He said the Opposition should welcome the move, as it would provide members an opportunity to present their views and suggestions before the panel.

Rejecting allegations that the bill targets minorities, Rijiju challenged the Opposition to identify any provision that discriminates against minority communities.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposes significant changes to the management of foreign-funded organisations. One of its key provisions empowers the Central government to establish a “Designated Authority” to take over the management of foreign contributions and assets created through foreign funding when an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or expires due to non-renewal.

The proposed law also provides that if any such assets include a place of worship, the Designated Authority must preserve its religious character while managing those assets.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, which regulates foreign funding received by NGOs, has maintained that the amendments are intended to create a comprehensive legal framework for the supervision, management, vesting and disposal of foreign contributions and related assets through a designated authority.

According to the ministry, the bill also seeks to rationalise penalties for violations and make prior approval from the Central government mandatory before launching investigations under the Act.

Amid growing criticism following the introduction of the bill, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a clarification on July 22, stating that the proposed Designated Authority would manage only those assets created through foreign contributions and only after an organisation’s FCRA registration has legally ceased.

The government has rejected allegations that the legislation is aimed at minority institutions or civil society organisations, while Opposition parties continue to insist that the proposed amendments could lead to greater government control over NGOs and charitable organisations receiving foreign funds.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee is now expected to examine the bill in detail, seek views from stakeholders and submit its recommendations before the legislation is taken up for further consideration in Parliament.