Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging an all-party meeting before the proposed Delimitation Bill and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) are taken up in Parliament’s Monsoon Session. O’Brien says the proposals should not be introduced without adequate notice and warns against what he describes as “cloak-and-dagger” tactics, arguing that the changes require wider political consultation and consensus across parties. He characterizes the measures as “draconian,” and raises concerns that altering India’s electoral framework could have major consequences for democratic representation. In his letter, he points to how the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation legislation was handled in 2019, alleging it was rushed with limited notice.
O’Brien also criticizes the proposed FCRA amendments, saying they could increase executive control over organisations receiving foreign contributions, potentially affecting charitable work in areas such as education and healthcare. He argues that non-governmental organisations could face greater oversight if the bill proceeds without broader consultation.
