MHA cites internal security issues to defend FCRA tweak

NEW DELHI: Amid the charge from the opposition that Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill targets institutions run by minorities, especially Christians, Union home ministry asserted Friday that the amendments do not regulate charity but the entry of foreign money into a "sovereign space", which Centre is fully entitled to protect, and emphasised the law at its core is a "national-security" legislation.A team of MHA officials led by home secretary Govind Mohan briefed the joint committee of Parliament - which is scrutinising the bill and held its first meeting - on different facets as it faced questions from MPs, with Mohan insisting the bill is not against any community, sources aware of the details said.He said concerns over national interest, internal security and law and order are the main drivers of the bill. It was introduced by govt in Parliament's budget session and sent to the committee for scrutiny amid stiff protests from opposition parties and Christian groups, who had met home minister Amit Shah to convey their concerns.After the meeting, the panel's chairperson, Sanjay Jaiswal, expressed confidence that it would be able to submit its report in the winter session of Parliament.MPs from BJP-led NDA and opposition parties presented conflicting views.BJP's Nishikant Dubey suggested India had a history of foreign money being used to influence issues of national interest and asked why Ford Foundation was allotted prime property in Lodhi Estate when over 1,400 NGOs linked to foreign funding were closed down under different laws before FCRA was enacted in 1976.Rockefeller Foundation was a key financial support behind an elite cultural and intellectual organisation in central Delhi, he said.Sources said DMK's P Wilson reiterated the charge that the amendments target Christian groups, which make up the majority of religious organisations with an FCRA licence, and was supported by other opposition MPs. Some alleged that these organisations were being targeted as they had empowered Dalits and women in south India.Opposition MPs slammed the proposed amendments as draconian, saying even if an organisation surrendered its FCRA licence, it still allowed assets to be seized.Jaiswal, sources said, flagged protests against the Kudankulam nuclear plant in TN and Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. BJP circles have argued that foreign-funded NGOs tried to disrupt the two critical projects of national interest under the veneer of environmental concerns.According to data shared by MHA, TN has the highest number of organisations with FCRA registration (2,102), followed by Maharashtra (1,578), Karnataka (1,355) and Delhi (1,218). Foreign contribution increased to Rs 22,974 crore in 2024-25 from Rs 17,832 crore in 2015-16.Out of the total foreign contribution received in 2024-25, 57% (Rs 13,071 crore) was for social purposes, 30% (Rs 6,933 crore) for educational, and only 8% (Rs 11,841 crore) for religious. Under the head of religious purpose, 73% went to Christian groups followed by 17.8% for Hindu organisations, with a little over 1% to Muslims. US and UK at Rs 12,113 crore and Rs 2,414 crore respectively were the two highest contributors.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.