Listed for Passage in Lok Sabha Today, FCRA Bill Not Taken up After Pushback in Poll-Bound Kerala
New Delhi: Facing pushback from the opposition in Kerala, as well as Christian leaders in the poll-bound state, the Union government on Wednesday (April 1) deferred the consideration and passage of the contentious Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The move came in the Lok Sabha amid protests from opposition parties both inside and outside parliament, with Union minister for parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju accusing the opposition of misleading the people of Kerala ahead of elections.
While the Bill was listed for passage on Wednesday, Rijiju said during Question Hour, amid opposition protests that it would not be taken up.
“Kerala MPs are misunderstanding and creating a ruckus,” said Rijiju.
“I have said to the Congress leaders yesterday and saying today again that the Bill is not going to be taken up for consideration today. Secondly, they are spreading misinformation about the Bill in Kerala.”
Rijiju said that while a major amendment to the Act was made by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2010 which was followed by other amendments, the new amendment is “about regulation of foreign donations and its proper use, keeping in mind national security and national interest and so money is not misused.” Critics of the Bill say that the amendment allows enormous executive control of NGOs and other bodies which operate on FCRA registrations.
“It is a good step, it is not targeting any religion or any organisation. Looking at the elections, Congress and CPI(M) are misleading the people of Kerala about FCRA. Please don't mislead the house and people of Kerala for the elections,” he said.
Amid protests from opposition parties, the House was adjourned till noon. Outside parliament, before proceedings began opposition parties held a protest against the proposed legislation. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes the creation of a “designated authority” to take provisional or permanent control of assets of NGOs whose FCRA licences are cancelled, surrendered or lapsed. This includes powers to manage and dispose of such assets. It also introduces timelines for utilisation of funds, regulating assets during suspension, rationalising penalties and requiring prior approval of the central government for initiating investigations.
Opposition MPs held a protest holding banners that read “Stop targeting NGOs and institutions” demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Bill.
मोदी सरकार संसद में FCRA संशोधन विधेयक को ज़बरदस्ती पारित कराने की साजिश रच रही है।
इस फैसले से BJP सरकार साजिशन देश के NGOs और community organisations को बर्बाद करना चाहती है।
इतना ही नहीं- सरकार जानबूझकर ये सब उस वक्त कर रही है, जब विपक्षी दल अलग-अलग राज्यों में होने वाले… pic.twitter.com/lUduZMF15Y
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 1, 2026
“The Modi government is hatching a conspiracy to forcibly pass the FCRA Amendment Bill in Parliament. Through this decision, the BJP government deliberately seeks to destroy the country's NGOs and community organizations,” the Congress said in a statement.
“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.”
Earlier Congress MP and the party’s general secretary K.C. Venugopal said that Congress MPs had been “urgently asked to reach Delhi” and not allow the Bill to be passed.
The Bill has emerged as a major election issue in poll-bound Kerala where both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) have asked the Union government to reconsider the proposed amendment after the Christian community expressed their concerns and anger over the various provisions of the Bill. Both the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) have already expressed concerns about the Bill, while Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan too has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for his intervention and demanding that the provisions in the amendment Bill regarding takeover of assets be withdrawn.
This article went live on April first, two thousand twenty six, at fifteen minutes past six in the evening.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
