Thiruvananthapuram | BJP national secretary Anil Antony on Friday strongly defended the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, saying there would be no problem if foreign funds are properly accounted for and used for the intended purpose.
He said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had made it clear that the proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act were not against any particular religion or caste.
"Foreign funds should be spent only for the purpose for which they are received. There should be accountability. That is all that is being said," Antony told a TV channel.
"Concerns are based on misunderstandings. This is not against anyone," Antony said.
Various church denominations in Kerala have expressed strong concern over the BJP-led Union government's move to introduce the FCRA Amendment Bill.
Antony's remarks came days after the Lok Sabha referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a 31-member Joint Committee of Parliament amid protests by opposition parties, which alleged that the proposed legislation targets minorities and NGOs and demanded its withdrawal.
The government has rejected the charge and challenged the opposition parties to identify even one provision in the Bill that discriminates against minorities.
Antony is the son of veteran Congress leader and former Defence Minister A K Antony.
