The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill met in Delhi on Tuesday, with its 31 members chaired by BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal. Officials from Home Affairs and Law & Justice briefed the panel on the bill’s proposed changes, setting the stage for a heated debate.
Opposition did not hold back. DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson, citing the need for a thorough review, penned a letter to JPC chairman asking for a four‑week extension to the public consultation period, which had been set at a mere seven days. Wilson warned that stakeholders—from NGOs to legal experts—would need ample time to craft clause‑by‑clause responses.
While the letter focused on consultation, BJP MPs Naresh Mhaske and Nishikant Dubey raised a different angle: whether the FCRA should be empowered to act like the CBI or Enforcement Directorate, allowing it to freeze or restrict funds of organisations deemed hostile to national interests. They argued such powers could curb misuse but risk overreach.
The discussion also turned to faith‑based organisations. Members cited data showing significant foreign funding flowing into Christian groups in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and argued that without tighter controls, money could be diverted to religious conversion activities. The committee noted the figures but left the issue unresolved.
Education advocates joined the chorus. Congress member Christopher Manickam questioned whether the amendments would jeopardise funding for schools and universities, suggesting the Bill’s provisions might target legitimate institutions under the guise of curbing foreign influence. He called for safeguards to protect academic autonomy.
With the extension request pending, JPC will vote on the proposal in the coming days. A favourable outcome would postpone the bill’s final stage, giving stakeholders an additional month to submit detailed feedback before the legislative deadline.