Supriya Sule said foreign funding should not automatically be treated with suspicion NEW DELHI: NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Saturday opposed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in its present form, urging the Centre either to withdraw the proposed legislation or refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider discussion.Sule, the Lok Sabha MP from Baramati, said all political parties should be given an opportunity to examine the contentious legislation before Parliament takes it up for consideration. She cautioned the government against rushing the bill through Parliament, amid reports that it could be discussed and passed next week.“We reject and disagree with the present form of the FCRA bill. If the government is not ready to withdraw the bill, then it should send it to a JPC. In a strong democracy, merely opposing something is not enough; we also have to sit together and discuss it,” she said.The proposed legislation seeks to establish a designated authority for the vesting, supervision, management and disposal of foreign contributions and assets in cases involving cancellation, surrender or expiry of an organisation’s FCRA registration.The bill also provides for provisional and permanent vesting of such assets.Critics have argued that the proposed changes could give the government greater control over organisations receiving foreign contributions.‘Foreign funding cannot always be viewed with suspicion’Sule said foreign funding should not automatically be treated with suspicion, arguing that overseas contributions can support legitimate work in areas such as healthcare and education.She said action should be taken if foreign funds are linked to illegal activities such as drug trafficking or terrorism, but questioned the rationale for viewing every foreign-funded organisation negatively.“There are organisations such as the Gates Foundation and USAID that have been doing good work for many years. Why should we look at every foreign-funded organisation with a bad eye?” she said.She also compared foreign funding with money sent home by Indians living abroad, arguing that the source of money alone should not determine whether it is viewed negatively.According to official figures, 13,520 entities received foreign remittances totalling Rs 55,741 crore between 2019 and 2022.As of July 15, 2026, there were 14,449 active FCRA registrations, while 22,498 registrations had been cancelled and 15,212 had expired.The FCRA regulates the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions by NGOs, charitable institutions, educational bodies, religious trusts and other organisations.Sule backs youth protests, questions party symbol decisionsSule also commented on the ongoing protests by students, saying young people should not face such treatment while seeking education.“What happened at Jantar Mantar should not happen anywhere in the country. Our children want to study and this is happening to them. I read that ministers from Jharkhand have ordered an inquiry into it,” she said.She also backed Uddhav Thackeray in the dispute over the Shiv Sena’s name and election symbol, arguing that party organisations and constitutions should be considered while deciding control of political parties.On the NCP dispute, Sule said the legal battle remained unresolved and alleged that her party had been waiting for a hearing.“Sharad Pawar is the founder president of the NCP and injustice has been done to him. We have been asking for a date for a long time, but why are we not getting a date?” she said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSule also criticised the Maharashtra government’s approach to farm loan waivers and called for political criticism to remain focused on issues rather than becoming personal.On the proposed delimitation legislation, Sule said it would be premature to comment before the bill was introduced. She added that the NCP (SP) would discuss the legislation with its alliance partners once it came before Parliament.Sule further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to meet NCP (SP) MPs on Monday to discuss issues concerning their constituencies, amid the opposition’s contention that Parliament was not functioning properly.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination ClaimsNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue Agitation123PhotostoriesOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? 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NEW DELHI: NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Saturday opposed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in its present form, urging the Centre either to withdraw the proposed legislation or refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider discussion.Sule, the Lok Sabha MP from Baramati, said all political parties should be given an opportunity to examine the contentious legislation before Parliament takes it up for consideration. She cautioned the government against rushing the bill through Parliament, amid reports that it could be discussed and passed next week.“We reject and disagree with the present form of the FCRA bill. If the government is not ready to withdraw the bill, then it should send it to a JPC. In a strong democracy, merely opposing something is not enough; we also have to sit together and discuss it,” she said.The proposed legislation seeks to establish a designated authority for the vesting, supervision, management and disposal of foreign contributions and assets in cases involving cancellation, surrender or expiry of an organisation’s FCRA registration.The bill also provides for provisional and permanent vesting of such assets.Critics have argued that the proposed changes could give the government greater control over organisations receiving foreign contributions.
‘Foreign funding cannot always be viewed with suspicion’
Sule said foreign funding should not automatically be treated with suspicion, arguing that overseas contributions can support legitimate work in areas such as healthcare and education.She said action should be taken if foreign funds are linked to illegal activities such as drug trafficking or terrorism, but questioned the rationale for viewing every foreign-funded organisation negatively.“There are organisations such as the Gates Foundation and USAID that have been doing good work for many years. Why should we look at every foreign-funded organisation with a bad eye?” she said.She also compared foreign funding with money sent home by Indians living abroad, arguing that the source of money alone should not determine whether it is viewed negatively.According to official figures, 13,520 entities received foreign remittances totalling Rs 55,741 crore between 2019 and 2022.As of July 15, 2026, there were 14,449 active FCRA registrations, while 22,498 registrations had been cancelled and 15,212 had expired.The FCRA regulates the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions by NGOs, charitable institutions, educational bodies, religious trusts and other organisations.
Sule backs youth protests, questions party symbol decisions
Sule also commented on the ongoing protests by students, saying young people should not face such treatment while seeking education.“What happened at Jantar Mantar should not happen anywhere in the country. Our children want to study and this is happening to them. I read that ministers from Jharkhand have ordered an inquiry into it,” she said.She also backed Uddhav Thackeray in the dispute over the Shiv Sena’s name and election symbol, arguing that party organisations and constitutions should be considered while deciding control of political parties.On the NCP dispute, Sule said the legal battle remained unresolved and alleged that her party had been waiting for a hearing.“Sharad Pawar is the founder president of the NCP and injustice has been done to him. We have been asking for a date for a long time, but why are we not getting a date?” she said.
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Sule also criticised the Maharashtra government’s approach to farm loan waivers and called for political criticism to remain focused on issues rather than becoming personal.On the proposed delimitation legislation, Sule said it would be premature to comment before the bill was introduced. She added that the NCP (SP) would discuss the legislation with its alliance partners once it came before Parliament.Sule further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to meet NCP (SP) MPs on Monday to discuss issues concerning their constituencies, amid the opposition’s contention that Parliament was not functioning properly.
![Rahul Gandhi addresses the gathering during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ program, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described India’s youth as the country’s biggest strength, but said a lack of jobs, expensive education, paper leaks, poor access to credit and the growing use of AI were holding them back.Speaking at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP Ground in Prayagraj, Rahul told the gathering, “You are power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen.” He said he wanted to speak about “dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)”, framing his address around the problems facing young Indians and the economic resources he believes should belong to them.Rahul said India’s nearly 40 crore young people were its “greatest strength”, adding that while there was much discussion about America, China and Russia, “India’s youth [are] unparalleled.” He argued that the country’s future would depend on the potential of its young population and the data they generate.He said artificial intelligence was also built on people’s data and argued that this data should be treated as an asset belonging to Indians. Rahul criticised the growing use of AI in discussions about employment, saying technological changes could further threaten jobs unless young people benefited from the economy being built around their data.Rahul also spoke about his connection to Prayagraj, describing the city as his family’s home and recalling its past as an important educational centre. He said Allahabad University had once been among the country’s best universities.Rahul said young Indians were being trapped in a “chakravyuh”, with education becoming increasingly expensive while degrees often failed to translate into jobs.“Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you job,” he said, arguing that students could spend years and large amounts of money on education without finding meaningful employment.Rahul said the problems extended across several routes into the workforce. “All doors of employment are closed in India,” he said, pointing to a decline in manufacturing, difficulties in securing loans, government-exam paper leaks and AI-driven job losses.“Decline in manufacturing, hard-to-come-by loans, paper leaks, AI replacing jobs – all this is hurting India’s youth,” Rahul said.He blamed demonetisation and GST for hurting small industries, alleged that banks were failing to provide adequate credit to small and medium businesses, and criticised the privatisation of public-sector companies. He also argued that AI could further reduce corporate employment while young Indians were increasingly pushed towards gig work.Rahul framed these problems as part of what he called the broader “system”, arguing that economic and political power had become concentrated among a small number of people. He linked this to his criticism of large corporations, the government and the RSS, alleging that they exercised disproportionate influence over India’s institutions.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRahul said recent student protests showed that young Indians were beginning to challenge the system. “Youths lit a light in darkness, and in doing so, changed the country,” he said.He urged young people to confront their fears without resorting to hatred or violence. “You cannot hate or be violent,” Rahul said, adding, “We will never resort to hatred or violence; will change the system with love and affection.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination Claims123PhotostoriesFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? 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NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described India’s youth as the country’s biggest strength, but said a lack of jobs, expensive education, paper leaks, poor access to credit and the growing use of AI were holding them back.Speaking at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP Ground in Prayagraj, Rahul told the gathering, “You are power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen.” He said he wanted to speak about “dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)”, framing his address around the problems facing young Indians and the economic resources he believes should belong to them.Rahul said India’s nearly 40 crore young people were its “greatest strength”, adding that while there was much discussion about America, China and Russia, “India’s youth [are] unparalleled.” He argued that the country’s future would depend on the potential of its young population and the data they generate.He said artificial intelligence was also built on people’s data and argued that this data should be treated as an asset belonging to Indians. Rahul criticised the growing use of AI in discussions about employment, saying technological changes could further threaten jobs unless young people benefited from the economy being built around their data.Rahul also spoke about his connection to Prayagraj, describing the city as his family’s home and recalling its past as an important educational centre. He said Allahabad University had once been among the country’s best universities.Rahul said young Indians were being trapped in a “chakravyuh”, with education becoming increasingly expensive while degrees often failed to translate into jobs.“Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you job,” he said, arguing that students could spend years and large amounts of money on education without finding meaningful employment.Rahul said the problems extended across several routes into the workforce. “All doors of employment are closed in India,” he said, pointing to a decline in manufacturing, difficulties in securing loans, government-exam paper leaks and AI-driven job losses.“Decline in manufacturing, hard-to-come-by loans, paper leaks, AI replacing jobs – all this is hurting India’s youth,” Rahul said.He blamed demonetisation and GST for hurting small industries, alleged that banks were failing to provide adequate credit to small and medium businesses, and criticised the privatisation of public-sector companies. He also argued that AI could further reduce corporate employment while young Indians were increasingly pushed towards gig work.Rahul framed these problems as part of what he called the broader “system”, arguing that economic and political power had become concentrated among a small number of people. He linked this to his criticism of large corporations, the government and the RSS, alleging that they exercised disproportionate influence over India’s institutions.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRahul said recent student protests showed that young Indians were beginning to challenge the system. “Youths lit a light in darkness, and in doing so, changed the country,” he said.He urged young people to confront their fears without resorting to hatred or violence. “You cannot hate or be violent,” Rahul said, adding, “We will never resort to hatred or violence; will change the system with love and affection.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosArunachal CM Rejects Chinese Encroachment As India Assigns Official Names To 27 Places‘If You Don’t Kill My Husband, I Will’: Telangana Man Uncovers Wife’s Shocking Chats With Lover‘Brahmins Joining BSP’: Mayawati SLAMS Akhilesh Yadav Over PDA’s ‘P Change’ From Pichhde To Pandit‘I Am Proud Of All Of You’: PM Modi’s Big Msg To Students At First Public Speech After CJP ProtestsKashmir Tourist Security To Get Major Upgrade With CCTV, Command Centres And Security AuditsUS Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, India Faces Potential 100% Tariff Over Russian Oil Purchases’Did We Fail To Listen’: Tharoor Admits CJP Protest Resonated More Than Congress ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’JPSC Protest Enters Day 14: Students Demand Exam Cancellation, CBI Probe After First Talks With GovtSonam Wangchuk Says Wife Sought Rahul Gandhi’s Help To End His 26-Day Hunger Strike At Jantar MantarOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination Claims123PhotostoriesFrom pig trotters to sprouting mushrooms: 5 bizarre luxury shoes breaking the internetOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first says everything about your hidden desiresRed or white patch in your mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains the warning signs you should not ignore10 best monsoon snacks to enjoy on rainy daysFrom tiny forest jewels to giant river hunters: 12 kingfishers species to spot in IndiaDelhi must stay ahead of dengue this monsoon: Why rain, stagnant water and delayed diagnosis can turn a seasonal threat serious5 things stylish women always remove from their closetsDia Mirza’s mother’s maroon Banarasi saree is a generational love letter that fast fashion could never match7 extraordinary animals travellers can see in some of Earth’s harshest placesYour liver can repair itself, but not forever: Doctor explains when early liver damage can be reversed and what happens if scarring progresses123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case")
