Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the immediate withdrawal of the newly notified Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026. He alleged that the Centre was attempting to bring in “draconian controls” on NGOs and minority-run institutions through the “back door” after its proposed amendments to the law failed to make headway in Parliament.
Venugopal's Letter to PM Modi
In his letter, Venugopal stated that the new rules were “an overt and systemic assault on India’s civil society” and were “designed not to regulate, but to strangle the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that form the backbone of our grassroots developmental and social welfare frameworks.” He claimed that the amendments “reflect a disturbing intent to micromanage, harass and financially cripple the voluntary sector.”
Objections to Revised Administrative Expenditure Limits
Venugopal objected to the revised administrative expenditure limits, saying the changes “reflect a rigid governmental mindset and restricting their operational geography destroys the very flexibility that allows these organisations to respond to on-ground realities and emergencies.” He further argued that the financial penalties envisaged under the rules would disproportionately affect smaller organisations.
Impact on NGOs and Civil Society
The Congress leader warned that the new rules would impose severe financial burdens on organisations and restrict their ability to function independently. He emphasised that the rules could cripple grassroots development and social welfare efforts across the country. The letter came amid growing concerns from civil society groups about the tightening of regulations on foreign funding.
