Rijiju accuses Congress, Communists of misleading Kerala on FCRA Bill

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Congress and Communist parties, accusing them of spreading 'misinformation' in Kerala about the FCRA Amendment Bill for electoral gains. He asserted the bill is for regulating foreign funds, not against any group.

Rijiju Accuses Opposition of Spreading Misinformation

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday accused the Congress and Communist Party of misleading people in Kerala over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Amid uproar by Opposition MPs, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon.

Rijiju said there was "misinformation" around the FCRA Amendment Bill, asserting that it is not against any religion or organisation and is aimed at regulating foreign funding in the national interest. He accused the Congress and Communist parties of misleading people in Kerala because of the upcoming assembly election.

Speaking at the Lok Sabha, Rijiju said, "Kerala MPs are under a serious misunderstanding. The FCRA Amendment Bill was introduced earlier, which is why it has come up now. I had informed senior Congress leaders yesterday and again today that the FCRA would not be taken up for consideration today. There is indeed misinformation being spread about the FCRA."

"The amendment is aimed at regulating foreign contributions, ensuring proper utilisation in the national interest and national security, and preventing misuse of funds. It is not against any religion or organisation. Congress and the Communist Party are misleading the people of Kerala in view of the elections. They should not mislead the House or the people of Kerala for the sake of elections," he said.

Bill Aims for Transparency and Accountability

The FCRA 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.

BJP MPs Defend Amendment

Earlier, BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana accused the Opposition of marginalising minorities and treating them as a vote bank, while asserting that those working within the law have full freedom. Speaking to ANI, Khatana said, "The Opposition has marginalised minorities. For 70 years, they have turned them into a vote bank; now they intimidate and threaten them... Whoever works within the framework of the law has freedom..."

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said, "Regarding foreign funding, there was a question in everyone's mind about all the NGOs operating in the country. After the 2010 bill, there have been two amendments."

"The amendment coming in the bill this time is to bring transparency. The funding should be monitored. There is no ban on any type of NGO in the country. The rules regarding funding have been clarified," she said. (ANI)

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