New Delhi/Kozhikode: The proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) triggered sharp political reactions on Wednesday, with the Opposition vowing to block the Bill and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) signalling a possible rethink amid mounting concerns.
Numerous Church heads in Kerala have come out strongly against the Centre’s move.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Alappuzha Lok Sabha member K.C. Venugopal said the Opposition would “pay any price” to prevent the legislation from being passed, alleging that the Centre introduced the Bill with a “hidden agenda” during Assembly elections in key states.
He pointed out that elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam have kept several Opposition MPs occupied with campaign work.
“Parliament sessions ideally should not be held at such a time. Yet the Bill was introduced in haste during the final days,” he said, alleging an attempt to bypass scrutiny.
Amid the intensifying row, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar struck a conciliatory note, stating that the current version of the Bill would not be passed without addressing concerns.
He assured that discussions would be held before the legislation is brought before the Lok Sabha.
On Tuesday, many Congress MPs who were in Kerala campaigning were asked to rush to be present in the Lok Sabha.
However, on Wednesday, the Bill did not come before Parliament.
Venugopal argued that the amendments could curb the functioning of charitable and humanitarian organisations, particularly those linked to minority communities.
He said many such institutions rely on foreign contributions to run hospitals and educational facilities for the poor.
The Congress has asked most of its MPs to return to Delhi to oppose the Bill, even as protests are being organised in the national capital.
Drawing parallels with the earlier Waqf Amendment Bill, Venugopal warned that measures targeting one community could later extend to others.
The Centre has also come under criticism for allegedly introducing the Bill without adequate consultation in Parliament’s Business Advisory Committee.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to immediately intervene and halt further proceedings on the Bill.
(IANS)
