FCRA Amendment a Direct Attack on Religious Freedom, Says M K Stalin; Accuses BJP of Tactical Retreat Ahead of Polls

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has denounced the Central government's proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act as a direct assault on religious freedom and civil society, warning that the legislation is unconstitutional and runs counter to India's democratic traditions. He was speaking at an election rally in Nagercoil.

Stalin alleged that the BJP is seeking to strangle minority institutions and voluntary organisations through the amended law, which he said would grant the government sweeping powers to cancel the licences of NGOs receiving foreign funding and seize their assets. He charged that the legislation is specifically designed to target Christian organisations, educational institutions, and hospitals.

The Chief Minister said the Centre has only temporarily shelved the Bill with an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in Keralam and Tamil Nadu, where Christian communities wield significant influence. He sarcastically noted that the BJP's retreat is driven by fear of electoral backlash in both states, and warned that the party plans to convene a special session of Parliament immediately after the elections to push the amendment through.

Stalin also accused the Modi government of failing to protect Tamil fishermen from repeated attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy, saying India has lost its standing even among its immediate neighbours. He added that voters in Tamil Nadu will decisively reject the NDA's attempts to impose Hindi on the state, and that the BJP's communal politics will find no takers against the proven record of Dravidian model governance.