NEW DELHI: Congress on Sunday stepped up its opposition to the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal warning that the party and other opposition parties would strongly protest if the legislation is introduced in Parliament.Venugopal, speaking to reporters in Alappuzha, alleged that the proposed legislation was aimed at targeting minorities and NGOs and said the Opposition would not allow it to be passed.“If the Central Government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves,” Venugopal said.He described the proposed legislation as “unconstitutional and anti-people”, adding, “We will not allow such an anti-people and unconstitutional bill to be passed.”The FCRA Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, is expected to be taken up in the final week of the Monsoon Session.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also said on Saturday that the party would oppose the measure and that its strategy would be discussed at a meeting of Opposition floor leaders on Monday.
Congress raises questions over student protests, Amit Shah
Venugopal also sought answers from Union home minister Amit Shah over the alleged use of force against students protesting in Delhi against irregularities in competitive examinations.He asked Shah to respond to allegations concerning the use of pellet guns, lathi charges and tear gas during the protests, and questioned his absence from Parliament.“When students in India ask the crucial question of who ordered the use of pellet guns, lathi charges and tear gas shells against them to suppress their protest, Amit Shah would not come forward to answer it,” Venugopal said.His remarks came amid a broader opposition campaign over the July 20 protests in Delhi, during which student protesters have alleged excessive use of force.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also raised the issue during an interaction with protesters earlier.
Opposition prepares for key Bills in Parliament
The Congress’ opposition to the FCRA Bill comes ahead of the final three days of the Monsoon Session, with the party issuing a whip asking its MPs to remain present in both Houses on August 10, 11 and 12.Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh said the party wanted to ensure that “history should not repeat itself”, recalling the suspension of 146 Opposition MPs during the 2023 Winter Session.Ramesh said that after the suspensions, several major pieces of legislation, including the three new criminal laws, were passed with minimal Opposition presence.The Congress has also asked its INDIA bloc allies to ensure their MPs remain present during the final days of the session.The FCRA Bill requires a simple majority for passage, while any Constitution amendment bill on delimitation would require a two-thirds majority, according to the background information provided by the party.
Venugopal questions FCRA restrictions, delimitation proposal
Venugopal also questioned the proposed restrictions on organisations receiving foreign contributions and raised the issue of foreign funding received by organisations associated with the RSS.“If you have the courage, try controlling the RSS,” he said.He also opposed the proposed delimitation legislation, arguing that it could disadvantage states that had successfully implemented population-control measures.“This bill effectively chokes states that have successfully implemented population control,” Venugopal said, referring to the proposed legislation.On the FCRA Bill, several Opposition parties have expressed concerns. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule has called for the legislation to either be withdrawn or referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, while DMK president MK Stalin has also urged the Centre to withdraw it.
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The proposed FCRA legislation has also drawn regional concerns. Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma said after meeting Shah that he had raised six issues concerning the Bill and received an assurance that the legislation would not be retrospective.Venugopal further criticised the Kerala Police over an alleged defamatory statement by RSS ideologue T G Mohandas concerning the protests, saying an FIR should be followed by an investigation and appropriate action.
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