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Christian bishops meet DMK’s MK Stalin over FCRA Amendment Bill

Sandy Verma | August 8, 2026 10:24 PM CST

Several Christian bishops and representatives of minority organisations met DMK President MK Stalin at his residence in Teynampet, Chennai, on August 8 to discuss the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill.

Following the meeting, Stalin stated that the Christian dignitaries expressed their appreciation for the DMK’s efforts to oppose the proposed legislation. “Several Christian dignitaries called on me at my residence today and expressed their appreciation for the efforts being undertaken by the DMK in opposing the #FCRA Amendment Bill,” he tweeted.

Earlier on August 8, Stalin urged the Union Government to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and repeal Section 15 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

He added that a delegation of the Joint Action Forum on Minorities, led by DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson and comprising religious leaders from various denominations, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 6 to press for the Bill’s withdrawal. “They urged the Hon’ble Minister to withdraw the #FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha in March 2026, and to repeal Section 15 of FCRA or refer the Bill, along with a comprehensive review of the workings of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee,” Stalin stated.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposes the establishment of a Designated Authority responsible for overseeing foreign contributions and assets acquired with such funds in cases where an entity’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or lapsed. The Bill mandates that if such assets include a place of worship, its religious character must remain intact. Additionally, it seeks to reduce the maximum penalty for statutory violations from five years’ imprisonment to one year.

The FCRA regulates the receipt and utilisation of overseas funding by non-governmental organisations, charitable entities, academic institutions, religious trusts, and affiliated bodies. Ministry of Home Affairs data shows that 13,520 entities received foreign remittances totalling Rs 55,741 crore between 2019 and 2022.

According to official records as of July 15, 2026, there were 14,449 active FCRA registrations in India, while 22,498 registrations had been cancelled and 15,212 had expired.