The Union government has indicated its willingness to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) after facing pushback and protests from opposition parties and church groups over concerns regarding regulatory overreach and religious freedom. - **Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC):** A temporary ad-hoc body constituted by Parliament, combining members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, to conduct detailed examination of specific complex legislation or matters of public importance. - **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill 2026:** A proposed legislative measure amending the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, introducing asset forfeiture provisions for canceled NGO registrations, triggering debates over civil liberties. - **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA):** An enactment regulating the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and companies to safeguard national security and prevent misuse. **Introduction** The Union government has indicated its willingness to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) after facing pushback and protests from opposition parties and church groups over concerns regarding regulatory overreach and religious freedom. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The government expressed readiness to refer the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) following protests from opposition parties and church groups. - Church bodies and civil society organizations raised strong objections, arguing that certain provisions of the proposed legislation infringe upon religious minority rights and operational freedom. - The FCRA regulates foreign donations and funding for NGOs, associations, and religious institutions in India to ensure they align with national security and public interest. - The move to a JPC highlights the legislative mechanism used to build consensus and scrutinize contentious bills affecting civil society and religious bodies. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC):** A temporary ad-hoc body constituted by Parliament, combining members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, to conduct detailed examination of specific complex legislation or matters of public importance. - **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill 2026:** A proposed legislative measure amending the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, introducing asset forfeiture provisions for canceled NGO registrations, triggering debates over civil liberties. - **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA):** An enactment regulating the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and companies to safeguard national security and prevent misuse.