Akhilesh Yadav criticizes proposed NGO Funding Bill, seeks clarity on transparency issues

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday intensified his criticism of the BJP over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, questioning the government’s motives and calling for greater transparency on key financial matters.

In a post on his WhatsApp channel, Yadav described the proposed legislation as reflective of an “undemocratic, excessively controlling, and monopolistic mindset.” He alleged that, under the pretext of regulating foreign funding for NGOs, the government intends to impose undue restrictions on independent organisations and “turn them into puppets,” while gradually moving to take control of their assets.

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Raising a series of pointed questions, Yadav asked whether funds received from abroad in the PM CARES Fund would be returned or “consumed under the guise of special exemptions such as audits.” He also took aim at the issue of electoral bonds, saying, “When will the BJP return the money received through electoral bonds? If electoral bonds have already been declared illegal, how can the money obtained through them still be considered legitimate?”

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also questioned the handling of funds flowing into unregistered entities, referring to “so-called Red Fort-linked NGOs,” and wondered whether the move indicates an internal tussle over foreign funding sources.

He further demanded accountability for donations collected in the name of temple construction, alleging that funds were misappropriated by organisations linked to the BJP. “Recovery should be made from the accounts and assets of all those associated with them,” he said.

Yadav argued that the government’s approach could hinder the functioning of independent NGOs, which, he said, often deliver better outcomes than official agencies. “The BJP government itself does little, and it also does not want genuinely independent NGOs that are doing good work to function effectively,” he said, adding that such organisations frequently highlight governance gaps.

He also accused the ruling party of adopting a selective approach by tightening scrutiny on legitimate foreign inflows while ignoring alleged illegal outflows of wealth. He questioned why strict restrictions are being imposed on lawful foreign contributions while “enormous wealth” is allegedly being sent abroad without adequate action.

In his strongly worded remarks, Yadav accused the BJP of bias and a lack of integrity in policymaking, stating, “The BJP’s bad intentions and dishonesty form the foundation of every bill it brings,” and added that the public would “shut down the BJP’s ‘ATM of favouritism.’”

The proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act are likely to rekindle debate around the regulation of NGO funding in India. The law governs how organisations receive and use foreign contributions and has long been a contentious issue, with critics warning of constraints on civil society, while the government maintains that stricter norms are essential for ensuring transparency and accountability.