Amendment to FCRA a direct attack on minority institutions: T.N. CM Stalin

A day after the Lok Sabha was informed that the Union government did not intend to bring in a Bill to amend the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act (FCRA) during the ongoing Budget session, DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday (April 2, 2026) said that the Centre was stepping back, for now, only due to Opposition protests and the upcoming elections in Kerala, which are to be held on April 9.

“Despite stepping back, for now, due to Opposition protests and the upcoming elections in Kerala, where Christians live in large numbers, there are clear plans to push the FCRA [amendment] through a special session of Parliament,” Mr. Stalin said in a social media post. He strongly condemned the Bill, which he alleged was a “direct attack on Christian NGOs, churches, and other minority institutions.”

After attempts to take over Waqf properties, the BJP-led Union government was “now moving to choke foreign funding for other minority institutions,” Mr. Stalin charged and added: “This unjust, arbitrary Bill must be withdrawn in full, and I urge the Hon’ble @PMOIndia to act immediately.”

‘Centre must drop Bill’

DMK leader and MP Kanimozhi, in a social media post, said that the intention of the Bill was to block foreign funding for NGOs and groups, which help in the development of minority communities.

“The Constitution guarantees equal rights to all religions. The Secular Progressive Alliance will not allow any attempt to undermine that right. The Union government must immediately drop this Bill,” Ms. Kanimozhi said.