DMK urges Centre to withdraw FCRA Bill, calls for Joint Parliamentary Committee review

DMK president M.K. Stalin has urged the Union government to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill 2026, saying the proposed law should be reviewed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) if the government is not inclined to withdraw it.

In a social media post on Thursday, Mr. Stalin said a delegation of the Joint Action Forum on Minorities, led by DMK MP P. Wilson, met the Union Home Minister. The delegation, comprising top religious leaders from various denominations, requested the withdrawal of the Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha in March 2026, or the repeal of Section 15 of the FCRA. Alternatively, they demanded that the Bill be referred to a JPC along with a comprehensive review of the working of the FCRA.

The DMK, which has opposed the provisions of the proposed Bill from the very beginning due to their far-reaching implications, endorses this request, Mr. Stalin said. He appealed to the Union government to consider the Forum’s plea in the interests of minorities’ rights and take necessary steps in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The FCRA regulates foreign contributions to individuals and organisations in India, with the aim of ensuring that such funds are not used to undermine national interest. The Amendment Bill 2026 seeks to amend the existing Act, and has been a point of contention among opposition parties and civil society groups. Critics argue that certain provisions could restrict the functioning of non-governmental organisations and minority institutions that rely on foreign funding for educational and charitable activities.

The Joint Action Forum on Minorities is a coalition of religious leaders and community representatives. The delegation's meeting with the Home Minister was part of a continuous effort to press for reconsideration of the Bill. The appeal for a JPC review reflects a demand for deeper parliamentary scrutiny, as such committees are typically tasked with examining contentious legislation through cross-party consultation and public input.

The government has not yet made any public statement on the delegation's request. The Monsoon Session of Parliament is currently in progress, and the Bill is yet to be taken up for consideration. It remains to be seen whether the government will respond to the demand for withdrawal or a comprehensive review.