'Anxiety among minorities': Shashi Tharoor questions FCRA Ammendment Bill

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned reports that the Centre may withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, saying the move could not be fully trusted.Speaking in Nilambur recently, Tharoor said, “The Centre's reported withdrawal of the FCRA Amendment Bill cannot be fully trusted. The urgency with which the central government is attempting to introduce changes to the FCRA is difficult to understand. There is a possibility of the bill being reintroduced when Parliament reconvenes on the 16th.” He added that the opposition will stay vigilant, saying, “The opposition will not allow the passage of any amendment that creates anxiety among religious minorities.”His remarks came a day after opposition MPs staged a protest at Makar Dwar in Parliament, demanding that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, be withdrawn. They said the proposed changes could create uncertainty and anxiety among NGOs and religious minority groups.The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25. Though the Bill was listed for consideration in Wednesday's Lok Sabha agenda, it was not taken up for discussion.It seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. The government says it aims to enhance transparency and accountability in foreign funding received in India.