New Delhi: Despite protests from the opposition demanding its withdrawal, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 was sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Wednesday (August 12) by a voice vote. The resolution to send the bill to the JPC was moved by MoS Home Nityanand Rai as Union home minister Amit Shah remained absent in the Lok Sabha. 

The motion was not listed in the day’s list of business. It was added to the supplementary list of business just minutes before the House was to reconvene at 2 pm.

As soon as the motion was moved, sharp exchanges were seen as the opposition benches erupted in protest and demanded its withdrawal in entirety saying that the proposed legislation targets NGOs particularly those run by minorities, while ignoring organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The government, on the other hand, defended the bill and said it does not target minorities and the opposition had demanded that it be sent to a committee.

"Just now we have got the information that the bill is circulating for moving the resolution. This legislation is purely for targeting NGOs and minority institutions who are doing good work. On one hand, the RSS is collecting donations from foreign countries, and on the other the government is targeting minorities and NGOs. The government should withdraw the Bill," said Congress MP K.C. Venugopal.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju responded that the opposition had been demanding that bills be sent to committee and now they are opposing when the government is doing so. Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav then questioned whether the government has brought any bill that has not targeted minorities.

“Rijiju-ji should clarify which bill they brought till date was not against minorities,” said Yadav while demanding the bill be withdrawn.

“I challenge Akhilesh ji to show any provision that is against any minorities. None of the provisions in the FCRA bill targets minority institutions, opposition is campaigning to mislead certain communities; this country is not a banana republic there should be rules and regulations in the spirit of the Constitution. I took full responsibility to ensure that not a single provision is against any community. This is for the well being and security of India,” said Rijiju.

Despite loud protests by the opposition the motion was put for a voice vote, following which it was referred to a JPC. The 31-member committee will submit its report on the last day of the first week of the winter session.

This is the second time the government has had to defer bringing the bill to the House. While the bill was first brought to the Lok Sabha in the Budget session, it was deferred on April 1 ahead of the Kerala assembly elections facing pushback from the opposition as well as Christian leaders in the poll-bound state. 

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.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.