Congress general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal. File photo: @INCIndia/X
The Congress on Sunday (August 9, 2026) said it would strongly oppose the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill in Parliament, warning the government against repeating the events of December 2023 when several key laws were passed after 146 Opposition MPs were suspended during the Winter Session.
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal said the government should not assume that it could introduce and pass the FCRA Bill in the remaining days of the Monsoon Session without resistance. “If the Central government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves,” he said in Alappuzha.
The Congress’s warning came alongside a reminder by party general secretary Jairam Ramesh that the government had used the absence of a large part of the Opposition to push through major legislation in 2023. “History should not repeat itself,” Mr. Ramesh said in a post on X, recalling that 146 MPs — 100 in the Lok Sabha and 46 in the Rajya Sabha — were suspended between December 14 and 21, 2023.
With minimal Opposition presence, Parliament subsequently passed the three new criminal law Bills, replacing the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill was also passed.
Mr. Venugopal alleged that the proposed FCRA changes were aimed at minorities and NGOs and said the Opposition would not allow the legislation to be passed. He also questioned the alleged foreign funding received by organisations associated with the RSS. “If you have the courage, try controlling the RSS,” he said, alleging that organisations operating lawfully under the FCRA would instead be targeted.
The Alappuzha MP accused Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of avoiding Parliament for fear of facing questions.
“If students in India are asking the crucial question of who ordered the use of pellet guns, lathi charges and tear gas shells against them, Amit Shah should come forward and answer it,” Mr. Venugopal said.
On the proposed delimitation legislation, Mr. Venugopal said it would penalise States that had successfully implemented population control measures, particularly in southern India and parts of the Northeast. “This bill effectively chokes States that have successfully implemented population control,” he said.
The Congress has issued a three-line whip to its MPs in both Houses to remain present from August 10 to 12, when the final week of the session is expected to see consideration of the FCRA Bill and the possibility of a Constitution amendment Bill on delimitation.
The party has also urged its INDIA bloc allies to ensure the presence of their MPs in Parliament.
Published – August 09, 2026 10:13 pm IST
