Thiruvananthapuram, March 30 (). Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill-2026. He has described it as a direct attack on the autonomy of civil society and minority institutions.
Sharing the letter, he wrote that by giving blanket powers to take over properties on technical grounds, the central government is creating an instrument of arbitrary control and intimidation. I have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to withdraw these draconian provisions, which threaten the institutions serving the poor and marginalized people. We have to protect our constitutional values and ensure that the spirit of selfless service is not stifled by executive interference.
In a letter sent to the PM, CM Pinarayi wrote that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, 2026, contains certain provisions which have created apprehension and concern among various sections of the society, especially the minority communities. On perusal of the sections of the Bill, it is seen that powers to take possession of properties have been provided here even for technical deficiencies.
It is written in the letter that there is a possibility that such broad power can be used arbitrarily by the authorities and such apprehensions cannot be considered unfounded. The present Act already provides adequate powers to deal with misuse of profits by certificate holders who are permitted to accept foreign contributions.
He further wrote that a provision for taking over properties has been proposed in the amendment, which would also include religious places and charitable institutions, irrespective of the technical question of time limit. It is noteworthy that the provisions of the Amendment Bill may put into difficulties the functioning of institutions which are engaged selflessly in the service of education, health and the poor and marginalized, even if there has been no serious wrongdoing on their part.
He wrote that this matter is related to the concerns of religious groups and minority communities, therefore, I request the Prime Minister to immediately intervene and take the initiative to withdraw the provision of taking over properties in the Amendment Bill, as the existing law has adequate safeguards to deal with the violations.
–iams
AMT/DSC
