Chennai, Aug 11 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday adopted a state government sponsored resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, alleging it may adversely affect the autonomy of charitable organisations and functioning of institutions run by minorities.
The government resolution piloted by Rajmohan, Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, expressed deep concern over the provisions of the FCRA Bill.
The resolution said the provisions of the amendment bill may adversely affect the autonomy of the charitable organisations and, in particular, the funcitoning of educational and social welfare institutions run by minorities.
It said: “Therefore, this House urges the union government to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in its present form, and to undertake comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders, including state governments and charitable, religious, educational, medical and social organisations.” Any amendment must ensure natural justice, proportionality, protection of property rights, legitimate expectation and federalism.
“While ensuring transparency and accountability in foreign contributions, it must also protect the rights of lawfully functioning charitable, educational, medical, religious, cultural and social welfare organisations,” according to the resolution passed in the House.
Therefore, the TN Legislative Assembly urges the union government to withdraw the FCRA Bill 2026 in its present form, it added.
Minorities Welfare Minister A M Shahjahan said the proposed amendment will render the functioning and service of minorities institutions uncertain. Hence, the Bill should be withdrawn, he said.
Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu said the Bill targeted the minorities as certain provisions like Sections 15 and 16 choke the legitimate funding for Christian NGOs, and minority-run social welfare and educational institutions.
Speaking on the resolution, AIADMK leader Agri S S Krishnamurthy said the Centre should address the concerns of the minorities and NGOs and ensure a protective mechanism before taking the bill forward after due consideration.
BJP legislator Bhojarajan opposed the resolution, saying the union government intended to rectify or regulate the said Act to prevent the “misuse” of foreign funds. Through the amendment, the Centre aims to fix accountability, he said.
“The Centre is not opposing but is only regulating. The BJP feels that this amendment is necessary,” Bhojarajan said defending the FCRA Bill.
Other parties, including the principal opposition DMK, represented by S Austin, and DMDK represented by its chief Premalatha Vijayakanth, backed the resolution.
Later, following a voice vote, Speaker J C D Prabhakar announced that the resolution moved by Rajmohan was unanimously passed. PTI SNR JSP VGN ROH
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