New Delhi: Congress MP Manish Tewari has slammed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, calling it a legislation riddled with “serious constitutional maladies”. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai during the ongoing Budget Session.
Tewari told reporters that the Congress would move a request to the Speaker to refer the Bill to either a Standing Committee or a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed scrutiny when it is taken up for discussion. He argued that the proposed amendments raise substantial constitutional concerns, particularly under Article 300A, which guarantees the right to property. “The provisions of the Bill undermine that constitutional guarantee by allowing immovable property to be disposed of in an arbitrary manner,” he said.
He also warned that the legislation could have a chilling effect on civil society organisations that receive partial foreign funding. “It grants arbitrary and unbridled powers to the executive, which could lead to targeted and selective action against organisations that may not align with the government’s agenda,” Tewari added. He flagged several other problematic clauses in the Bill that, he said, need closer examination, and reiterated that full parliamentary committee review is essential before it proceeds further.
Meanwhile, speaking while moving the Bill in the Lok Sabha, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said the legislation is aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring that foreign contributions are used properly and in line with national interests. He emphasised that the government would not tolerate any activity that runs counter to the spirit of the Constitution, the law, or India’s sovereignty, and would take “necessary action” against violators.
Rai insisted that genuine institutions will not be affected. “Any organisation, whether an educational institution or an NGO, that works in line with the sovereignty and integrity of India and seeks to serve the nation will not face any obstruction,” he said. In response to opposition criticism that the Bill is “dangerous”, he argued that it would be dangerous only for those involved in forced religious conversions through foreign funds or those misusing such contributions for personal gain.
(Inputs from IANS)