'Systemic assault' or selective outrage? How Congress, CPI(M)'s FCRA rollback push protects proselytisation networks
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On Friday, June 26, the Congress and CPI(M) separately wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for the rollback of the recently notified Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026. Both the opposition parties contended that the amendments would gravely hamper the functioning of NGOs, minority institutions, and voluntary organisations nationwide.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Congress general secretary and Public Accounts Committee chairperson K C Venugopal termed the amendments a "systemic assault" on civil society, alleging that the government is using executive powers to tighten its grip over non-governmental organisations after facing pushback in Parliament. He warned that compelling NGOs to select activities from a government-approved list and confining their work to pre-designated geographic areas would severely limit their capacity to respond to emergencies and community needs.
Venugopal drew a direct link between the amended rules and the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which sought to establish a "Designated Authority" empowered to seize assets built using foreign contributions upon cancellation, surrender, or expiry of an organisation's FCRA registration. After the Bill was deferred in Parliament due to Opposition protests, Venugopal accused the government of attempting to introduce the same restrictive measures through the back door of executive rule-making, bypassing the Lok Sabha entirely.
In a separate similar communication, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, raising what he described as "serious constitutional concerns" and urging immediate withdrawal of the amendments. While acknowledging that regulating foreign contributions is a legitimate state function, Brittas cautioned that such regulation must not be 'weaponised' to stifle charitable, educational, and faith-based organisations. He argued that the amendments had fundamentally altered the intent of the law, shifting focus from regulating foreign funds to regulating voluntary organisations themselves, citing provisions that restrict activity categories, limit geographical reach, broaden reporting obligations, and expand the definition of "key functionaries."
Parent Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, not altered; just the rules tightened
It is important to note that the recent amendment proposed by the Indian government in no way alters the main FCRA itself, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. However, the Rules, which are the subordinate, delegated laws formed under the parent Act, are what have been changed.
_202606261253147381_H@@IGHT_348_W@@IDTH_700.jpg "CPIM")
Congress's Venugopal said that the amendments reflect a 'disturbing intent to micromanage, harass, and financially cripple the voluntary sector'. The MP also voiced opposition to mandating disclosure of social media accounts, websites, and every publication, including newspaper articles. Veugopal said it exposes a mindset of mass surveillance. “Furthermore, adding vague caveats that educational or cultural awareness programs must ‘exclude political/ideological content’ is a transparent tool to silence civil society, throttle dissent, and ensure NGOs are intimidated into becoming mouthpieces for the ruling dispensation,” he said.
Congress, CPIM claims the amendment intends to harass, micromanage 'the voluntary sector'
Additionally, the amendment has substituted the earlier terminology of "office-bearers or members of the governing body" with the broader term "key functionaries" across multiple clauses of the rules. Congress leader K C Venugopal calls out this expansion, arguing that widening the definition of "key functionaries" and effectively barring foreign nationals from such roles cuts Indian NGOs off from global expertise and international solidarity. He added that such a move conveys a damaging signal to the international community regarding India's democratic credentials and openness to the world.
A crucial distinction that must be understood is that the recent government notification does not amend the parent legislation, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, in any manner whatsoever. What has been revised are the Rules, which are subordinate or delegated legislation framed under the authority of the parent Act. These Rules serve as the operational framework that governs how the provisions of the Act are implemented on the ground.
Opposition parties and missionary organisations raising objections to these changes must recognise this fundamental difference. The core Act remains entirely intact and unchanged. What the government has done is tighten the procedural rules, particularly those governing foreign funding channelled into activities associated with proselytisation. This is well within the executive's legitimate rule-making authority under the Act and does not constitute any overreach or alteration of the law as passed by Parliament.
_202606261323003441_H@@IGHT_348_W@@IDTH_700.jpg "FCRA")
Licenses cancelled over misutilising foreign contributions in the past
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) has been viewed as the most debated regulatory instrument governing India's NGO sector, but in fact, it is not. It is often characterized as a restrictive tool. However, a critical assessment must acknowledge its fundamental purpose, ensuring that foreign funds entering India's civil society ecosystem are received and utilised with full transparency.
Foreign contributions can legitimately support charitable, educational, and humanitarian work. At the same time, nations have a reasonable interest in monitoring how foreign money flows into domestic civil society. Most countries maintain some form of regulatory framework for this purpose, and India is no exception.
The FCRA has emerged as one of the government's principal tools for monitoring the flow and utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs and religious organisations operating in India. Over the past decade, investigations conducted under the FCRA framework have led to the suspension or cancellation of the licences of several organisations accused of violating funding norms, misutilising foreign contributions, or engaging in activities that authorities alleged were linked to unlawful religious conversion practices. The Act requires organisations receiving foreign funds to disclose their sources of funding, maintain separate accounts, and submit periodic financial reports, thereby increasing transparency and regulatory oversight.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has consistently called for stricter FCRA regulations time and again, arguing that while genuine social service organisations have nothing to fear, some NGOs have allegedly misused foreign funds for activities detrimental to national interests, including religious conversions and other unlawful activities. In 2022, Shah stated that the government had strengthened the FCRA and cancelled the licences of certain organisations because some NGOs were allegedly involved in religious conversions, anti-national activities, and misuse of foreign contributions. According to the government, stronger compliance requirements are intended to enhance accountability, ensure transparency in foreign funding, and safeguard national interests while allowing legitimate charitable and developmental work to continue.
This comes days after the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011, were amended by a Gazette notification published by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on June 22, 2026.
John Brittas and KC Venugopal (L, R)
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Congress general secretary and Public Accounts Committee chairperson K C Venugopal termed the amendments a "systemic assault" on civil society, alleging that the government is using executive powers to tighten its grip over non-governmental organisations after facing pushback in Parliament. He warned that compelling NGOs to select activities from a government-approved list and confining their work to pre-designated geographic areas would severely limit their capacity to respond to emergencies and community needs.
Venugopal also took issue with provisions that require organisations to obtain additional approvals and pay separate fees before extending operations to other states. He further condemned the imposition of steep financial penalties, up to 30% of foreign funds received, or a minimum of Rs 1 lakh, for violations such as functioning outside approved regions. The Congress leader additionally flagged new disclosure mandates requiring NGOs to share details of their social media handles, websites, and publications, characterising them as elements of a "mass surveillance" apparatus.
Wrote to PM Modi demanding the immediate withdrawal of the latest amendments to the FCRA Rules. These amendments severely cripple the autonomy and hamper the regular functioning of civil society organisations, especially those run by minority institutions.
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) June 25, 2026
Once more, after the… pic.twitter.com/n2X8qzlOZN
Venugopal drew a direct link between the amended rules and the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which sought to establish a "Designated Authority" empowered to seize assets built using foreign contributions upon cancellation, surrender, or expiry of an organisation's FCRA registration. After the Bill was deferred in Parliament due to Opposition protests, Venugopal accused the government of attempting to introduce the same restrictive measures through the back door of executive rule-making, bypassing the Lok Sabha entirely.
In a separate similar communication, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, raising what he described as "serious constitutional concerns" and urging immediate withdrawal of the amendments. While acknowledging that regulating foreign contributions is a legitimate state function, Brittas cautioned that such regulation must not be 'weaponised' to stifle charitable, educational, and faith-based organisations. He argued that the amendments had fundamentally altered the intent of the law, shifting focus from regulating foreign funds to regulating voluntary organisations themselves, citing provisions that restrict activity categories, limit geographical reach, broaden reporting obligations, and expand the definition of "key functionaries."
Parent Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, not altered; just the rules tightened
It is important to note that the recent amendment proposed by the Indian government in no way alters the main FCRA itself, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. However, the Rules, which are the subordinate, delegated laws formed under the parent Act, are what have been changed.
As per the official gazette, if any religious NGO registered under FCRA wants to change its area of operation or alter any purpose from its already available registration certificate, it must seek government approval. Notably, the Central Government can then approve or reject the application after due inquiry.
This section lists 16 permitted activities that religious organisations can carry out using foreign contributions, which include, construction and maintenance of places of worship, preservation of sacred scriptures, supporting institutions studying religious philosophy, pilgrim amenities, dharamshalas and langars, religious education and meditation retreats, devotional music and theatre, documentation of indigenous faith practices, protection of sacred relics and heritage sites, archiving of religious rituals, inter-faith dialogue, religious publications and research, religious libraries and museums, faith-based counselling and de-addiction centres, training in traditional sacred crafts, and burial or cremation ground maintenance. However, any of these activities undertaken with the intention of performing proselytisation has been specifically excluded.
Congress's Venugopal said that the amendments reflect a 'disturbing intent to micromanage, harass, and financially cripple the voluntary sector'. The MP also voiced opposition to mandating disclosure of social media accounts, websites, and every publication, including newspaper articles. Veugopal said it exposes a mindset of mass surveillance. “Furthermore, adding vague caveats that educational or cultural awareness programs must ‘exclude political/ideological content’ is a transparent tool to silence civil society, throttle dissent, and ensure NGOs are intimidated into becoming mouthpieces for the ruling dispensation,” he said.
Congress, CPIM claims the amendment intends to harass, micromanage 'the voluntary sector'
As per the reports, the amended rules specify that associations with foreign nationals, excluding those of Indian origin, serving as key functionaries will generally not be considered eligible for FCRA registration or prior permission under the Act. The rules also clarify that foreign contributions must be utilised exclusively for activities conducted within India, in line with the association's stated objectives and the specific purposes for which the funds were received.
2. The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026 (Parent Act Legislation)
— Augadh (@AugadhBhudeva) June 25, 2026
On June 22, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India made a major change to the FCRA rules. The new Gazette Notification strictly prohibits proselytization, i.e., conversion activities, by… pic.twitter.com/eypD1Bnqsk
Additionally, the amendment has substituted the earlier terminology of "office-bearers or members of the governing body" with the broader term "key functionaries" across multiple clauses of the rules. Congress leader K C Venugopal calls out this expansion, arguing that widening the definition of "key functionaries" and effectively barring foreign nationals from such roles cuts Indian NGOs off from global expertise and international solidarity. He added that such a move conveys a damaging signal to the international community regarding India's democratic credentials and openness to the world.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) MP John Brittas pointed out that the term "key functionaries" has now been significantly broadened in scope, going well beyond traditional office-bearers to encompass directors, trustees, partners, members of governing bodies, and virtually anyone exercising control over an association or bearing responsibility for its affairs. This expansion, he argued, dramatically widens the net of who falls under the regulatory scrutiny of the amended rules.
CPIM, Congress protecting proselytisation networks?
A crucial distinction that must be understood is that the recent government notification does not amend the parent legislation, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, in any manner whatsoever. What has been revised are the Rules, which are subordinate or delegated legislation framed under the authority of the parent Act. These Rules serve as the operational framework that governs how the provisions of the Act are implemented on the ground.
Opposition parties and missionary organisations raising objections to these changes must recognise this fundamental difference. The core Act remains entirely intact and unchanged. What the government has done is tighten the procedural rules, particularly those governing foreign funding channelled into activities associated with proselytisation. This is well within the executive's legitimate rule-making authority under the Act and does not constitute any overreach or alteration of the law as passed by Parliament.
In essence, the criticism that the government is dismantling the FCRA framework is misplaced. The amendments are targeted, subordinate, and procedural in nature, aimed at bringing greater accountability and transparency to how foreign contributions are received and utilised, especially in the context of religious conversion activities. Those opposing these rules would do well to engage with the actual text of the amendment rather than misrepresent its scope and intent.
By demanding a rollback of the FCRA Amendment Rules, Congress and CPI(M) are, knowingly or otherwise, providing a political shield to foreign-funded proselytisation networks operating across India. These rules specifically tighten oversight on religious conversion activities financed from abroad. The Opposition's resistance, therefore, raises serious questions about whose interests they are truly representing.
Notably, this is not the first time that the opposition parties have opposed the said amendment. On April 2, 2026, the Parliament witnessed a ruckus as opposition parties, including the Congress, Left parties, and Trinamool Congress, staged a visible protest in the Parliament premises, holding banners and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Bill. They described the FCRA Bill as ‘draconian’ and an attempt to grant sweeping executive powers that could lead to arbitrary action.
Opposition parties outside the parliament on April 02, 2026 (The Pioneer)
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) has been viewed as the most debated regulatory instrument governing India's NGO sector, but in fact, it is not. It is often characterized as a restrictive tool. However, a critical assessment must acknowledge its fundamental purpose, ensuring that foreign funds entering India's civil society ecosystem are received and utilised with full transparency.
Foreign contributions can legitimately support charitable, educational, and humanitarian work. At the same time, nations have a reasonable interest in monitoring how foreign money flows into domestic civil society. Most countries maintain some form of regulatory framework for this purpose, and India is no exception.
The FCRA has emerged as one of the government's principal tools for monitoring the flow and utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs and religious organisations operating in India. Over the past decade, investigations conducted under the FCRA framework have led to the suspension or cancellation of the licences of several organisations accused of violating funding norms, misutilising foreign contributions, or engaging in activities that authorities alleged were linked to unlawful religious conversion practices. The Act requires organisations receiving foreign funds to disclose their sources of funding, maintain separate accounts, and submit periodic financial reports, thereby increasing transparency and regulatory oversight.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has consistently called for stricter FCRA regulations time and again, arguing that while genuine social service organisations have nothing to fear, some NGOs have allegedly misused foreign funds for activities detrimental to national interests, including religious conversions and other unlawful activities. In 2022, Shah stated that the government had strengthened the FCRA and cancelled the licences of certain organisations because some NGOs were allegedly involved in religious conversions, anti-national activities, and misuse of foreign contributions. According to the government, stronger compliance requirements are intended to enhance accountability, ensure transparency in foreign funding, and safeguard national interests while allowing legitimate charitable and developmental work to continue.