# FCRA amendment: Govt defends, critics warn of minority asset seizure 2026-08-09T21:42:55+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 has ignited a fierce parliamentary debate. The government, backed by senior jurist Harish Salve, insists the law aims at transparency and national security, noting that foreign donations to registered NGOs rose from $1.2 billion in 2010-11 to $2.67 billion in 2024-25. India's US ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra has rebutted five 'myths', including claims that the law targets any religion or allows asset seizure without appeal. Critics, as reported by Deccan Chronnicle, point to provisions that let a designated authority seize assets created from foreign funds if registration laps or is cancelled, with no judicial check before seizure and no deadline for appeal decisions. They fear this discretionary power could be used minority institutions, especially Christian and Muslim-run schools and hospitals, despite government assurances that places of worship are protected and assets returned if registration is restored. ## Coverage - deccanchronicle.com - hindustantimes.com - republicworld.com Tags: asset seizure, Christian Charities, FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, Government Discretion, Minority Rights, NGO regulation Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/fcra-changes-stoke-minority-fears-of-asset-seizure/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/fcra-changes-stoke-minority-fears-of-asset-seizure/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.