Lok Sabha refers Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill to Joint Parliamentary Committee

The Lok Sabha passed a motion on Wednesday to refer the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination. The motion was moved by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai amid significant disruption and sloganeering by opposition members, who demanded the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah and the total withdrawal of the bill. The committee will comprise 31 members, with 21 nominated by the Lok Sabha Speaker and 10 by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

The legislation, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, has faced stiff opposition from political parties including the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, as well as various minority and Christian groups. Critics argue that the bill targets NGOs and minority institutions, while the government maintains that the amendments are necessary to regulate foreign funding and prevent the misuse of financial contributions. The government opted for the committee review process following these widespread concerns and appeals for further consultation.