“Downright undemocratic”: KC Venugopal on govt’s plan to re-introduce FCRA amendment
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): Congress General Secretary (Organisation) and Lok Sabha MP KC Venugopal on Friday slammed the Modi government's move to reintroduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, alleging that the proposed legislation was "undemocratic" and aimed at tightening the Centre's control over civil society organisations.
In a post on X, Venugopal accused the Centre of ignoring public opposition and attempting to push through amendments that would give it greater powers over organisations receiving foreign contributions.
"The Modi regime's plan to re-introduce the FCRA Amendment in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament is downright undemocratic. This shows that they will trample upon people's rights and happily go against public sentiment, simply to fulfil their divisive agenda," Venugopal said.
The Modi regime’s plan to re-introduce the FCRA Amendment in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament is downright undemocratic.
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) July 17, 2026
This shows that they will trample upon people’s rights and happily go against public sentiment, simply to fulfil their divisive agenda.
These…
He alleged that the proposed amendments would enable greater interference in the functioning of civil society groups and could be used to target organisations critical of the government.
"These amendments are designed to lead to greater interference of the Centre in the functioning of civil society groups, and provide the regime with yet another weapon to silence organisations that stand against their politics," he said.
The Congress leader recalled that the Bill had earlier been withdrawn during the Budget Session following opposition from political parties and civil society.
"In the Budget Session, they were forced to withdraw this Bill due to widespread opposition. After that, they brought in these amendments via the Rules framework. Now, they are bringing these amendments in Parliament once again, despite voices from all quarters against them," he said.
Venugopal urged the government to withdraw the proposed legislation and warned that the Congress would strongly oppose it during the Monsoon Session.
"The Government should withdraw this Bill from the set of laws it proposes to pass in this session. We will fiercely oppose these amendments on the floor of the House," he added.
According to a Lok Sabha Secretariat bulletin, the Centre is expected to table the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, during the Monsoon Session beginning July 20.
The Bill seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, with the stated objective of enhancing transparency and accountability in the regulation of foreign contributions. It proposes that an organisation's FCRA registration will cease upon expiry, non-renewal or refusal of renewal by the government. It also provides for the creation of a designated authority to oversee the vesting, supervision, management and disposal of foreign contributions and related assets.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament will run from July 20 to August 13 and is expected to witness heated debates over several government Bills as well as issues likely to be raised by the Opposition, including the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation embezzlement case and foreign policy. (ANI)
