Chennai, April 4: DMK MP and senior advocate P. Wilson has once again strongly criticized the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, calling it "draconian" and expressing concerns about its adverse impact on minority and charitable organizations. Addressing the media, Wilson condemned the bill and warned of its potential to undermine institutions, particularly those serving minority communities.
Wilson remarked that while the BJP-led government had initially moved to introduce the bill, political pressure from states gearing up for elections had forced them to delay it temporarily. However, he pointed out that efforts to convene a special session of Parliament to push the bill forward are still underway.
"The BJP government is trying to force through the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026. They made an attempt to pass it, but due to political pressure from states facing elections, they have paused the bill for now. There are efforts to hold a special session, but make no mistake, this bill is highly draconian," Wilson said. He also highlighted that DMK’s leader, Chief Minister MK Stalin, had written a detailed letter to Prime Minister Modi urging the withdrawal of the bill.
Wilson raised specific concerns regarding provisions in the bill that would give authorities the power to seize assets if organizations fail to meet regulatory deadlines or renew their licenses. "The bill introduces provisions that allow authorities to take control of property if a renewal is not completed within the stipulated time frame or if a license is canceled. This designated authority could become yet another tool for the BJP government to target minority organizations, including churches and Muslim-run charitable institutions. We will fiercely oppose this," Wilson warned.
Echoing Wilson's sentiments, Chief Minister MK Stalin also criticized the bill, alleging that it specifically targets religious minorities. He expressed fears that the bill would have a devastating impact on Christian institutions, including schools and colleges, across India. "This bill is an attack on religious freedom," Stalin said during a rally in Nagercoil. "Christian communities, in particular, are deeply angered by the amendments to the FCRA law, which could lead to the confiscation of their properties. Prime Minister Modi’s attendance at Christian events is just a token gesture. This law is an attempt to strip away the rights of minority communities."
The bill, which has sparked widespread controversy, proposes that the FCRA certificate of an organization would automatically cease upon its expiry or if renewal is refused by the government. It also introduces a new regulatory framework, creating a designated authority to oversee the management and disposal of foreign contributions and assets. The amendments provide for both provisional and permanent vesting of such assets.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, in response, argued that the government is paying more attention to the needs of minorities and accused the Congress party of using Muslims as a vote bank. He clarified that the bill would only target illegal FCRA accounts and would not impact legitimate organizations.
