Chennai: The special resolution brought by the government in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly against the FCRA bill that imposes restrictions on foreign donations was passed. All parties except the BJP supported it.
School Education Minister Rajmohan today moved a special resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, urging the Union government to withdraw the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) amendment bill.
While moving and speaking on this resolution, Minister Rajmohan said, “The FCRA regulations will affect the autonomy of charitable organizations and the functioning of minority educational institutions. Minorities will be affected by this law. The Central Government should withdraw this bill. The Central Government should hold detailed consultations with the state governments regarding this bill.”
Following this, Minister A.M. Shajahan said, “The running of charitable organizations and orphanages will be affected. This law is an attempt to cripple minorities.”
Minister Vanniarasu said, “First they brought in the CAA and made Muslims second-class citizens. Now they have targeted Christians through the FCRA. The central government is trying to seize Christian educational institutions.”
DMK member S. Austin said, “Our party leader Stalin has been insisting from the beginning that the central government should withdraw this bill. Through this law, the properties of minorities can be confiscated. The rights of charitable organizations will be taken away.”
AIADMK’s Agri Krishnamurthy said, “While welcoming the FCRA law, this bill should be passed after making the necessary amendments to protect minorities. We welcome restrictions on foreign funding.”
At the same time, BJP member M. Bhojarajan said, “Some amendments and changes need to be made to the existing law. This law is being brought in with the aim of preventing anti-national activities. Therefore, FCRA is necessary.”
Marxist Communist member R. Cellaswamy said, “This is a law being brought in to ensure that minority communities cannot receive foreign funding.” Indian Communist member K. Marimuthu said, “FCRA is a law that suppresses all charitable organizations and hospitals that work for the welfare of oppressed people, children, and the elderly. This law will be used as a weapon to block social service associations.”
DMK member Premalatha Vijayakant said, “Misused funds coming from abroad must be stopped. Foreign funds should not be used for wrongful activities.”
MAMAK member M.H. Jawahirullah said, “If money is coming from abroad, it will come only through a dedicated bank account. Therefore, this funding can be monitored. The FCRA law will affect not only minority communities, but all those involved in education and medical services.”
A BJP member walked out in protest against this resolution. Following that, a voice vote was held, and Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar announced that the resolution had been passed unanimously.
