The proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act have become a major issue in Kerala’s assembly election campaign, with both the ruling Left Democratic Front and the opposition United Democratic Front urging the Union government to withdraw key provisions.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 29, seeking the removal of provisions that would allow the Centre to take control of the assets of organisations whose FCRA licences are cancelled, surrendered, or lapse.
In a post on X on Monday, Vijayan described the proposed law as a “direct assault” on civil society and minority institutions, saying it would give the government sweeping powers to seize assets over technical violations.
Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan also wrote to Modi, warning that minority-run schools, hospitals, and charities could be affected if licences are not renewed. He said the changes could create additional administrative burdens and disrupt essential community work.
The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha last week, proposes a designated authority that can take provisional or permanent control of the assets of NGOs receiving foreign funds if their licences are cancelled or expire. The authority would also have powers to manage and dispose of those assets.
The state unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) called the measure an attack on minorities and said it could lead to the takeover of places of worship and educational institutions.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India have also expressed concern over the proposed law.