Congress to strongly oppose FCRA Bill, warns against repeating 2023 ‘mass suspension’ episode

In a bid to resolve the escalating political stalemate in Parliament, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju contacted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, seeking cooperation on critical legislative matters. This move comes amid growing tensions over stalled bills, including the contentious delimitation bill, which faces strong opposition from the Congress and other parties. According to officials familiar with the discussions, the call followed a previous meeting between Rijiju and Gandhi, where the latter reportedly suggested holding an all-party meeting to address the impasse. However, Rijiju reportedly declined the proposal, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue rather than formal gatherings. Rijiju described the recent interaction with Gandhi as productive, stating that both sides discussed a range of issues beyond the delimitation bill. He emphasized the importance of maintaining communication with the opposition, despite ideological differences, and expressed concern over perceptions that the opposition seeks to paralyze parliamentary proceedings. “We may be political opponents, but we are not enemies; therefore, we should work together in the national interest,” Rijiju said. His remarks reflect a broader government strategy to engage with the opposition ahead of critical legislative sessions. The government's outreach appears to be focused on advancing the delimitation bill, which previously failed to secure passage in the Lok Sabha. A senior Congress leader indicated that the government is testing the waters to gauge the opposition's stance before attempting to reintroduce the bill. Meanwhile, the Congress party has issued a three-line whip urging its members of parliament to attend the final week of the monsoon session, preparing for potential challenges related to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) bill and the delimitation amendment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet rebel Trinamool Congress MPs and Shiv Sena representatives over breakfast, signaling an effort to consolidate support among dissenting factions within the opposition. These meetings aim to address concerns and potentially align interests around key legislative priorities. In response to the opposition's demand for a statement from the home minister on actions taken against protesters on July 20, Rijiju noted that the minister is actively engaged in parliamentary duties and thus unable to provide a separate statement. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal criticized the government for allegedly obstructing discussions on pressing issues such as allegations of donation theft and student atrocities. He argued that the government is deliberately creating obstacles to prevent meaningful debate. Venugopal also challenged the government to address concerns raised by students regarding the use of force against them, calling on Home Minister Amit Shah to respond directly to these queries. The Congress has warned the government against repeating the controversial events of December 2023, when numerous opposition MPs were suspended during the winter session. General secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the risk of history repeating itself if the government attempts to push through the FCRA bill without adequate opposition presence. The party has issued directives to its members to remain in Parliament during the final days of the session, ensuring active participation in debates surrounding the FCRA bill and the possibility of a constitutional amendment on delimitation. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling TVK regime has moved a resolution opposing the FCRA bill, reflecting regional sentiments aligned with the national opposition. This development underscores the growing resistance to the proposed amendments, which critics argue target minority groups and legitimate NGOs. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on how the government will navigate these challenges while balancing legislative goals with the demands of the opposition.