Karti Chidambaram: Centre 'weaponising' FCRA to stifle civil society

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram slammed the Centre for 'weaponising' the FCRA bill to stifle civil society. SP's Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the bill, questioning the BJP's funding via PM CARES Fund and now-illegal electoral bonds.

Centre 'Weaponising' Laws to Stifle Voices

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Wednesday launched a sharp critique at Centre, accusing it of "weaponising" laws in order to "stifle opposing voices of civil society." Speaking to ANI, Chidambaram stressed that just like PMLA, the government wills to "weaponise" FCRA, which will have a chilling effect on the NGOs. "This government is prone to weaponising the laws to stifle opposing voices of civil society. The way they weaponised the PMLA, they are attempting to weaponise the FCRA. By giving draconian powers, they will stifle civil society, and it will have a chilling effect on NGOs," said Chidambaram.

Akhilesh Yadav Questions BJP's Funding

The remarks follow Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav's statement where he criticised the Centre's proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, calling it "rigged" and raising questions about the legitimacy of funds received by the BJP through the PM CARES Fund, electoral bonds and NGOs.

In an X post, Yadav asked whether foreign funds received into the PM CARES Fund would be returned and questioned why money received through electoral bonds is considered legitimate. He argued that if electoral bonds are declared illegal, the donations received via them cannot be justified. "In the name of regulating foreign funding for NGOs, before bringing in the rigged Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, the BJP should explain: - The money that came into the PM CARE FUND from abroad--will it be returned, or will it too be gobbled up by granting it the same special exemption as an audit? - When will the BJP return the money that came through electoral bonds? If the electoral bonds themselves have been declared illegal, how can the money received from them be legitimate?" said Akhilesh Yadav.

Bill Introduced Amidst Opposition Protest

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 25 and seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and is aimed at enhancing the transparency and accountability of foreign contributions in India. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 12 pm on Wednesday amidst opposition's protest over the FCRA bill. (ANI)

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