Congress calls new FCRA rules 'draconian', seeks rollback

New Delhi: Congress on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the latest notifications on the rules under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2026 (FCRA), which have imposed further restrictions on the functioning of NGOs and bodies run by minority institutions.

These institutions are required to explicitly state the nature of their activities, geographical reach, social media activities and details of spending of foreign funds, along with facing higher penalties for violations, steps that also put activities of religious conversions under close watch.

Also Read: Govt revises penalties under FCRA involving receipt of foreign contributions by NGOs


AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said in a letter to the PM that the new provisions "reflect a disturbing intent to micromanage, harass and financially cripple" the voluntary sector. Pointing out that after the government initially planned to bring an amendment to FCRA in Parliament in the last session, the new provisions have been brought via the rules' framework as an executive diktat, he said.

"We reject this draconian step and the government must allow civil society groups and minority-run institutions to function without fear or threat," the letter said.

Venugopal also objected to the broadening of the definition of key functionaries and to banning foreign nationals from these roles.