Tco News Desk
New Delhi/Kerala, April 4, 2026: Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday voiced strong doubts about the reliability of the Union government's reported decision to withdraw or defer the contentious Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, warning that the move "cannot be fully trusted."
Speaking in Nilambur, Kerala, while campaigning ahead of state assembly elections, Tharoor said the Centre's sudden step-back raises questions about its intentions. "The Centre’s reported withdrawal of the FCRA Amendment Bill cannot be fully trusted. The urgency with which the central government is attempting to introduce changes to the FCRA is difficult to understand. There is a possibility of the bill being reintroduced when Parliament reconvenes on the 16th," he stated. He added that the opposition would firmly resist any amendments that create anxiety among religious minorities.
The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha around March 25 and was slated for debate and passage earlier this week. It proposed significant changes to the existing Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, including provisions for a "Designated Authority" to manage or seize assets of NGOs whose FCRA licenses are suspended or cancelled, along with tighter regulations on foreign funding inflows and utilization. Critics, including opposition parties and church groups, argued that these measures could enable government overreach, particularly affecting Christian-run educational institutions, hospitals, orphanages, and social welfare NGOs that rely on foreign contributions.
The bill triggered widespread protests from Opposition MPs in Parliament, with demonstrations at the Makar Dwar. Several leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, strongly condemned it as a "draconian" attack on minority institutions and an attempt to choke funding for Christian NGOs and churches. Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the bill immediately, linking it to broader concerns over minority rights following other policy initiatives.
Tharoor had earlier described the proposed legislation as a "**terrible bill**," questioning the government's right to confiscate or control institutions built by church groups. He advocated referring it to a standing committee or select committee for detailed scrutiny, emphasizing that the government has no business taking over schools, hospitals, and orphanages run by such organizations.
The government deferred the bill's consideration amid the backlash and sensitivities in poll-bound Kerala, where the Christian community holds significant influence. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reportedly informed opposition leaders that the bill would not be taken up immediately. However, concerns persist that it could be revived in a future session.
Tharoor's remarks come as he campaigns for the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, where he has also engaged with church leaders, including Archbishop Thomas Tharayil, to discuss the bill's potential impact on Christian institutions in the state. He has highlighted jobs, development, and protection of minority interests as key campaign themes.
Opposition parties, including the Congress and regional allies, have united in demanding a complete withdrawal rather than mere deferral, fearing the amendments could be pushed through stealthily later. Church bodies and the All India Catholic Union have also called for the bill to be dropped entirely, citing risks to institutional autonomy and charitable work.
The Centre has not issued an official statement confirming a full withdrawal as of now, and the deferral is being viewed by many as a temporary tactical retreat due to electoral considerations in Kerala rather than a policy reversal.
This development underscores ongoing tensions between the government and opposition over regulatory frameworks for foreign funding, with critics arguing that stricter FCRA norms have already impacted civil society organizations, while supporters maintain they are necessary to prevent misuse and ensure transparency in foreign contributions.
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