Why India's FCRA Bill Has Sparked A Political Battle And Drawn US Attention

The proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) have sparked a major political and diplomatic controversy even before the Bill has been tabled in Parliament. The Opposition has accused the government of tightening control over NGOs and civil society organisations, calling the proposed changes draconian and alleging they create unequal rules for different organisations. The BJP has rejected those claims, insisting the amendments are aimed solely at preventing the misuse of foreign funding and strengthening accountability. The debate has now gone beyond India's borders after US Congressman Riley Moore criticised the proposed legislation, alleging it could adversely affect Christian institutions and warning that it may become an issue in India-US relations. With Parliament witnessing heated protests and international attention growing, here's why the FCRA amendments have become one of the most contentious political issues of the session.