The Opposition benches immediately reacted negatively to the introduction of the Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha last week. The discussion also takes place in the midst of Kerala and Tamil Nadu’s final-minute Assembly election campaigns.
In a post on X, Stalin wrote, “I strongly condemn the Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposed by the Union BJP Government, which is a direct attack on Christian NGOs, Churches and other minority institutions.”
Stalin claimed that the Union BJP Government was attempting to stifle foreign funding for other minority institutions “after attempts to take over Waqf properties,” drawing comparisons to the previous Waqf controversy.
He urged the Prime Minister’s Office to act quickly, warning that despite the government’s retreat owing to opposition protests and the impending Kerala Assembly elections, there were obvious plans to push the Bill through a special Parliament session.
“Despite stepping back for now due to Opposition protests and the upcoming elections in Kerala, where Christians live in large numbers, there are clear plans to push #FCRA through in a special session of Parliament,” Stalin mentioned.
He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take quick action and demanded that the “unjust and arbitrary” law be completely repealed. “This unjust, arbitrary Bill must be withdrawn in full, and I urge the Hon’ble @PMOIndia to act immediately,” Stalin added.
???? I strongly condemn the Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposed by the Union BJP Government, which is a direct attack on Christian NGOs, Churches and other minority institutions.
???? After attempts to take over Waqf properties, the Union BJP Government…
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) April 2, 2026
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was presented in the Lok Sabha on March 25. The Bill proposes changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 2010, which regulates the receipt and use of foreign funding by public trusts and non-governmental organisations in India.
The Bill’s main features include the establishment of a designated authority to supervise the vesting, administration, and disposition of foreign contributions and assets, as well as the proposal to terminate an organisation’s FCRA certificate following its expiration, non-renewal, or denial of renewal by the government.
The proposed bill reveals that approximately 16,000 associations are registered under the FCRA and get about ₹22,000 crore a year.
DMK MP and party general secretary Kanimozhi echoed the Chief Minister’s position. The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance would not allow any attempt to compromise the constitutional guarantee of equal rights for all religions, she said, characterising the Bill as an attempt to “unjustly block foreign funding for voluntary organisations and groups that help advance minority communities.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also claimed that the FCRA change was motivated by ‘political motives’ and accused the Centre of ‘ignoring’ the concerns of minority populations.
The Union government has defended the legislation. The amendment, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, is meant to “regulate foreign contributions, ensuring proper utilisation in the national interest and national security, and preventing misuse of funds,” and it is not meant to target any particular faith or organisation.
