FCRA Amendment Bill: Assurances for Genuine NGOs Amidst Political Concerns

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju assured on Saturday that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, is tailored to support genuine NGOs and not to harm lawful entities, including Christian organizations. His remarks came during a press conference in Thrissur, where he stressed that the bill seeks to deter organizations misusing foreign funds against Indian interests.

Rijiju emphasized that the Christian community need not be concerned about the proposed amendments. He conveyed that the bill will solely target illegal entities, ensuring compliance with India's security concerns while supporting legitimate NGOs. The bill remains on hold as thorough consultations are planned with Kerala's church leaders and post-election discussions with the BJP state unit in Delhi.

Furthermore, Rijiju expressed the government's readiness to dismantle what he termed as "lies" propagated by opposition parties regarding the bill's impact. He highlighted that the FCRA amendments would establish an authority to manage and regulate foreign contributions, ensuring transparency and adherence to Indian laws.