FCRA Bill sent to JPC amid Opposition protests; Rijiju challenges parties to cite provision against minorities
The Lok Sabha has referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee following intense opposition protests. The government maintains the bill is not targeted at minorities, while opposition leaders argue it threatens civil society organizations.
Why it matters
The bill significantly impacts the regulatory environment for NGOs and foreign funding in India, sparking a major political debate.
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a motion to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a 31-member joint committee of Parliament for further scrutiny , amid strong Opposition protests and demands for its withdrawal.
The motion, moved by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs demanding the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah in the House, provides for a committee, comprising 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.
The members from the Lok Sabha will be nominated by Speaker Om Birla, while those from the Rajya Sabha will be nominated by Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The committee has been asked to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026.
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