Kerala CM Vijayan urges PM Modi to withdraw FCRA amendment provisions
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed concerns over certain provisions in the proposed FCRA Bill and sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to withdraw them.
In a letter to Modi, Vijayan said the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, has sparked concern among various sections of society, particularly minority communities.
A copy of the letter, sent on Sunday, was shared on his Facebook page on Monday.
In the letter, Vijayan noted that a perusal of the bill’s clauses indicates that powers have been granted to authorities to take over assets even for technical omissions.
“The apprehension is that granting such sweeping powers to authorities could lead to arbitrary exercise, and such concerns cannot be dismissed as baseless,” he said.
The chief minister pointed out that the existing law already provides sufficient powers to deal with misuse by entities permitted to receive foreign contributions.
He further said the amendment proposes enabling the takeover of assets, including places of worship and charitable organisations, even in cases involving technical issues such as violations of time limits.
Vijayan warned that the provisions could adversely affect institutions engaged in selfless service in areas such as education, healthcare, and the welfare of the poor and marginalised, even in the absence of significant lapses.
Stating that the issue has triggered concerns among religious groups and minority communities, the CM urged the prime minister to intervene in the matter at the earliest.
He also urged the PM to take steps to withdraw the provisions related to the takeover of assets in the amendment bill, noting that the existing Act has adequate safeguards to address violations.
The chief minister wrote to Modi at a time when reports about the proposed provisions in the FCRA Bill had triggered widespread reactions among political parties and various church denominations in poll-bound Kerala.
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If Yatnal has self-respect, dignity let him defeat BJP candidates’: Min. M.B. Patil
Vijayapura: Challenging BJP rebel MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Minister for Large and Medium Industries Dr. M.B. Patil on Monday said that if Yatnal has self-respect and dignity, he should ensure the defeat of BJP candidates in the upcoming by-elections.
Speaking to reporters in the city, Patil questioned Yatnal’s stand, pointing out that despite his criticism of the Yediyurappa family and BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, he continues to be associated with the party’s campaign.
“BJP is contesting the elections under the leadership of Vijayendra. If Yatnal wants to support and protect him, let him do so. But whatever he does, we will win,” Patil said.
He further added that if BJP candidates lose in the Davangere and Bagalkot by-elections, Vijayendra may have to step down as the party’s state president. “does Yatnal want Vijayendra to continue or not? He should make his stand clear,” he said.
Patil also alleged that Yatnal is trying to re-enter the BJP. “by campaigning for the BJP in the by-elections, he appears to be laying the groundwork to return to the party by aligning with its leaders,” he added.
