Tensions Rise in Parliament Over FCRA Bill Sent to Joint Parliamentary Committee

New Delhi, August 12: The decision to send the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has sparked a confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition in the Lok Sabha. The government stated that the bill was referred to the JPC for comprehensive discussion, while the opposition criticized it as a hasty and targeted move.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya remarked, “The FCRA is a crucial bill. Clearly, it has been sent to the JPC to facilitate extensive discussions and gather opinions from relevant stakeholders. I am confident that the JPC process will strengthen and enhance the bill, as it will involve dialogue with stakeholders, foster greater consensus, and allow for expert advice to broaden the bill.”

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal accused the government of lacking transparency in the process. He stated, “This bill has been introduced at the last minute, with the session ending on Thursday. We received a message from the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Wednesday at noon that Amit Shah would present this bill. However, Amit Shah is not even present today. The proposal to send it to the JPC was made amidst chaos.”

TMC MP Mahua Moitra expressed that all opposition parties are united in their opposition to the FCRA Bill. “This bill is introduced to ensure that all funding is directed solely to the RSS. The RSS is considered an NGO, but it is not registered. The RSS owns properties worth thousands of crores in every district of Delhi, yet there is no audit or scrutiny of its finances,” she claimed.

Moitra further alleged, “The purpose of the FCRA is to restrict funding for every NGO and charitable organization, especially those associated with different religions, such as Christian or Muslim organizations. Any organization not linked to the RSS will have its funding cut off.”

BJD MP Sasmit Patra welcomed the government’s decision. He said, “I support the government’s decision to send the FCRA Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Two days ago, I demanded that the JPC is the right platform to examine the merits of the FCRA Bill. The Christian community and minority groups have expressed concerns about the hasty passage of the FCRA Bill, which is why there has been a consistent demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee.”

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