Supriya Sule opposes FCRA Bill, urges Centre to withdraw it or send it to JPC

NEW DELHI: The NCP (SP) working president, Supriya Sule, has voiced her opposition to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, urging the government to either withdraw the bill or refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for a more thorough examination. Sule, who represents the Baramati constituency in the Lok Sabha, stressed the need for all political parties to be given the opportunity to scrutinize the contentious legislation before it reaches Parliament for discussion.

She cautioned against rushing the bill through Parliament, as reports suggest it could be discussed and passed next week.

Sule strongly disagreed with the current form of the FCRA bill, arguing that it grants the government excessive control over organizations receiving foreign contributions. Critics have pointed out that the proposed changes could significantly strengthen the government's oversight of NGOs, charitable institutions, educational bodies, religious trusts, and other foreign-funded organizations.

In contrast to the bill's provisions, Sule argued that foreign funding should not be viewed with suspicion, as many reputable organizations such as the Gates Foundation and USAID have successfully utilized overseas contributions for causes like healthcare and education. She questioned the rationale behind automatically discrediting every foreign-funded entity and suggested that action should only be taken when foreign funds are linked to illegal activities.

Moreover, Sule addressed the ongoing student protests, condemning the treatment of young people seeking education. She also backed Uddhav Thackeray's stance in the dispute over the Shiv Sena's name and election symbol, stressing the importance of considering party organizations and constitutions when determining control over political parties. Regarding the NCP's legal battle, Sule alleged that her party had been waiting for a hearing, demanding a date for resolution.

The NCP (SP) leader also criticized the Maharashtra government's approach to farm loan waivers, urging political criticism to remain focused on issues rather than devolving into personal attacks. Lastly, she commented on the proposed delimitation legislation, stating that it would be premature to comment before the bill is introduced and that the NCP (SP) would discuss the issue with its alliance partners once it reaches Parliament.