FCRA Bill needed to curb foreign influence, protect democracy: Ex-ICCR chief | Exclusive

New Delhi: The proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill has triggered a nationwide debate. The government says the amendments are aimed at protecting India’s national security, preventing foreign interference, cracking down on money laundering and shell NGOs, and ensuring greater transparency in the use of foreign donations. However, the Opposition, NGOs and several civil society groups argue that the Bill grants excessive powers to the Centre, increases compliance burdens, and could adversely affect smaller charities, welfare organisations and civic space.

Rules will ensure transparency

Speaking exclusively to News9Live Managing Editor Kartikeya Sharma, former Indian Council for Cultural Relations president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said the proposed law would strengthen Indian democracy.

“They will absolutely strengthen Indian democracy. Just as foreign nationals must operate within a particular legal framework, those seeking or providing foreign funds must abide by a set of rules and regulations,” Sahasrabuddhe said.

He argued that genuine organisations engaged in welfare work had generally not opposed the proposed changes. He also said the legislation would benefit the voluntary and development sectors.

Concerns over foreign influence

Sahasrabuddhe said India must remain alert to attempts by foreign organisations or donors to influence its political, social and religious affairs.

“You cannot bring money into the country for education and use it for religious conversion. Similarly, you cannot receive funds for philanthropy and then use them to change people’s belief systems. That is certainly not permissible. Which country would allow it?” he asked.

He said organisations must disclose the source of foreign donations, the purpose of large grants and details about how they spent the money.

The former ICCR president also rejected claims that every foreign-funded organisation posed a national security threat. “We should not paint everything with the same brush and claim that every organisation is anti-national or engaged in conversion. Such generalisation is unacceptable,” he said.

Opposition flags autonomy concerns

Sharma referred to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s argument that the Bill could threaten the autonomy, property rights and constitutional freedoms of Christian institutions involved in healthcare, education and social welfare.

Sahasrabuddhe rejected the criticism and asked people to wait for the law and its provisions to become clear. He also described comments by US lawmakers on the proposed amendments as interference in India’s internal affairs.

Call to protect volunteerism

Sahasrabuddhe called for the revival of community-driven volunteerism rooted in India’s civilisational values. “I am not entirely against professionalisation, but it must operate within a framework and remain limited. It should not destroy the voluntary spirit that lies at the heart of the Indian idea of an autonomous society,” he said.