Opposition parties have intensified their resistance to the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, with leaders of Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Congress accusing the BJP-led government of using the legislation to target NGOs and political opponents.
TMC MP Saugata Roy stated that his party would strongly oppose the proposed legislation, alleging that it was part of the BJP’s communal agenda. Similarly, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav voiced opposition to the Bill, claiming that it was intended to intimidate people and target properties registered under non-governmental organisations and other organisations. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal also expressed opposition, linking consideration of the legislation to the Congress’s demand for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament on alleged atrocities against students in Delhi.
The opposition’s objections come as uncertainty surrounds several key pieces of legislation with only four days remaining in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Bills concerning women’s reservation and delimitation, along with the FCRA amendment legislation, remain among the measures whose legislative fate is unclear. None of these Bills has been listed for consideration in the Lok Sabha on Monday, and the Congress and several of its major allies have maintained that they will oppose the Bills in Parliament.
However, some opposition parties have indicated a more flexible position on the issues of women’s reservation and delimitation. With the Monsoon session nearing its end, the government and opposition remain at odds over the legislative agenda, while the FCRA Bill has emerged as another potential flashpoint in the House.
Opposition leaders have made clear that they intend to scrutinise and resist the proposed legislation, setting the stage for further political confrontation during the remaining days of the Monsoon Session.
