Voice vote clears resolution against FCRA Bill; BJP abstains

CHENNAI: The Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in its present form, warning that its provisions could undermine the autonomy of charitable organisations and affect minority-run educational and social welfare institutions.

Moving the resolution, School Education, Tamil Development, and Information and Publicity Minister Rajmohan said the State had deep concern over provisions dealing with the transfer, management, disposal, and sale of assets belonging to charitable organisations following the expiry, non-renewal, refusal of renewal, cancellation, or surrender of FCRA registration.

Such provisions could adversely affect the autonomy of charitable organisations, particularly institutions run by minorities, the resolution said.

Rajmohan said the Centre should withdraw the proposed amendments and hold wider consultations with State governments and organisations in the religious, educational, medical and social sectors. He said the Tamil Nadu government strongly opposed the Bill in its present form.

The resolution stressed that any amendment to the FCRA should conform to the principles of natural justice, proportionality, protection of property rights, legitimate expectation and federalism. Members of the CPI, PMK, AIADMK, MJK, DMK and VCK extended their support to the resolution. BJP member M Bhojarajan did not participate in the voting.

"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," it said.

The resolution also urged the Centre to ensure that the proposed framework did not impede the legitimate functioning of institutions receiving foreign contributions.

Following the debate, Speaker JCD Prabhakar put the resolution to a voice vote. It was adopted with the support of all parties except the BJP.

The resolution concluded that the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously urges the Union Government to withdraw the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, in its present form.