What happened: Lok Sabha refers the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee

The Lok Sabha adopted a motion to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) after opposition uproar and protests over the Bill. The Minister of State for Home Affairs moved the motion in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, and the motion was adopted despite opposition uproar.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 had been scheduled for passage in the Monsoon Session, which was ending on August 13. Opposition protests were described as continuing since the Bill’s introduction on March 25.

Background and earlier position: appeals, meetings, and parliamentary deadlock

Christian organisations launched coordinated appeals on social media on August 9, urging the government to withdraw the Bill or refer it to a JPC.

Home Minister meetings with Christian groups were reported to begin on July 6 and culminate in an August 6 meeting with an 18-member delegation. A delegation leader stated that the delegation had written to the Prime Minister and was then called by the Home Minister.

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