Nagercoil (Tamil Nadu), Apr 4 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday described the Centre's proposed FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 as "draconian", and alleged it targeted minorities, especially Christian service organizations, demanding its withdrawal.
Addressing a rally here for the April 23 Assembly polls, Stalin, recalling that his government had increased the fishing ban period special relief assistance from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000, said, "From now on, the assistance will be Rs 12,000 per month, not Rs 8,000." Similarly, the fishing lean period assistance will be Rs 9,000 per month, not Rs 6,000. "Are you all happy?"
Referring to other ongoing welfare schemes, he made new assurances. The upper age limit to enroll as a member of the Fishermen Welfare Board will be enhanced to 70 from 65, and members aged between 70 and 75 will be provided a monthly pension in addition to existing welfare measures.
The chief minister said the Dravidian model government he is leading has been a true friend and companion to the fishermen.
"However, the BJP-led union government, which holds foreign policy in its hands, has failed to protect our fishermen. It has also failed in foreign policy. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has created a situation where India has no influence even over its small neighboring countries," Stalin alleged.
It was regrettable that the BJP government does not regard Tamil Nadu fishermen as Indian fishermen, and the consequence of this was the continuous attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy on fishermen, he claimed.
When fishermen were attacked during the Congress regime at the Centre, Modi accused the then PM Manmohan Singh as "weak" and said such incidents would not have happened if a strong PM was at the helm.
"Is it happening now or not? It is indeed happening. Now, will Modi accept that he is a weak Prime Minister? Or will he not accept it? This was not the only question, and there were more, including the Madurai AIIMS project, which has been ongoing for about a decade. There are no answers, only questions," the CM said.
Stalin alleged that the FCRA Amendment Bill was "draconian", and it targeted minorities, especially Christian organizations.
Across the country, Christians are enraged due to the proposed amendment, which, if passed, would lead to the cancellation of recognition for beneficiaries, and funds could be taken away even for minor lapses such as delays in providing proof.
Even hospitals, schools, and hostels could be taken over by the government for such lapses. Even institutions built using funds from both domestic and foreign sources could be taken over, he said.
Stalin said Modi had praised Christian institutions for their services in education and healthcare. "However, now what is he doing? This is his true face."
He alleged that the FCRA Amendment Bill, which also has provisions to "intimidate" donors, is tantamount to taking away rights provided by the Constitution, and it will affect SCs, STs, and rural poor.
It is a serious assault on the freedom of religion and also on those who wish to do social service.
The CM said he was the first from Tamil Nadu to condemn the Bill and also urge for its withdrawal. He had written to PM Modi over the matter.
Stalin said thousands of Christian educational and medical institutions are functioning across India.
If all of them ceased to exist, the government could not immediately replace the services they provide.
Due to the upcoming elections in Kerala and Assam with large Christian populations and many churches, the BJP has temporarily backed down. However, he claimed that the BJP government's "conspiracy is to soon convene a special session of the Parliament and pass the Bill into law."
Hindus are also the beneficiaries of Christian organizations to a large extent. "This attack on humanitarian activities, driven by a bigoted religious perspective, is not only against one religion but against humanity itself. This law risks creating an indelible stain on India's global reputation. Opposition members have spoken against to the extent of paralysing the Parliament."
The DMK chief questioned whether the BJP's ally, AIADMK, supports the FCRA amendment or not. "Are you preparing to betray the Christians as well, similar to your betrayal of Muslims on the CAA and the Waqf amendment?"
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami had spoken at Ambur on Friday that his party would protect minorities like the eyelid protects the eye.
Stalin accused Palaniswami of having brought the AIADMK to such a state of "subservience" to BJP solely to protect his own position and self-interest. Palaniswami was being subservient to Delhi to just save his "name board" of being the AIADMK general secretary.
The FCRA Amendment Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, seeks to enhance transparency and ensure proper utilization of foreign funds, while preventing their misuse against national security and interests.