Congress MP Saleng Sangma recently sparked political debate after he sought global intervention over the issue of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Sangma, who opposes the proposed amendments to the FCRA framework, admitted that he urged the representatives of the US, the UK, Australia, Korea, Mexico, and African countries to pressure the Modi government to roll back the bill.
The Congress MP, who describes the proposed legislation as a “draconian bill”, justified his appeal for foreign intervention, claiming that the government will not accept the opposition’s representations regarding the Bill. Sangma claimed that he was not hopeful that the demands of the church delegation from Meghalaya and other Northeast leaders would be accommodated in the final legislation.
Contrary to the allegations, the bill does not ban foreign contributions but instead seeks to regulate them. It aims to strengthen the existing FCRA framework and introduce transparency in the process of the receipt and expenditure of foreign funds. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs recently described the bill as a national security legislation to ensure that the foreign funds entering the country are not used to destabilise it.
The Bill was discussed and debated in Parliament and was subsequently sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny. The FCRA Bill is currently being examined by a 31-member JPC which includes opposition leaders. The Bill was sent to the JPC for consideration at the demand of the opposition, which has been portraying the bill as anti-minority.
Accuses the BJP-led government of being anti-Christian
The Tura MP attacked the centre for introducing the FCRA amendment bill, which, according to him, would adversely affect the institutions run by the Christian community, including churches and schools. Ironically, the FCRA framework was introduced by his own party’s government.
The FCRA Bill is not the proposed bill is not the only grievance that Sangma has against the NDA government. Last year, he accused the BJP government of increasing atrocities against minorities, particularly Christians, in the country. He also blamed the BJP-led government for the destruction of some churches in Manipur. Sangma alleged that the BJP government was destroying the diversity of the country and urged the people of the country to unite against the alleged divisive policies of the government.
Supported by Christian bodies promoting missionary activities
Sangma’s stance against the FCRA and the BJP aligns with Meghalaya’s Christian bodies like the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF), which take particular interest in the state’s political affairs and support Christian missionary activities across the country. The KJCLF’s interest and partisan approach in political matters can be inferred from the fact that in 2024, the forum felicitated Sangma after he was elected as a Member of Parliament.
Last month, the KJCLF criticised 8 MLAs who defected from the United Democratic Front (UDF) to the BJP, calling it a “tragic betrayal”. The Christian body expressed strong disappointment over the defection of the MLAs to the BJP and accused them of being motivated by their “hunger for power and self-interest”. KJCLF secretary Reverend Edwin Kharkongor accused the BJP of promoting majoritarianism.
Justifies violence in Shillong
The Congress MP justified the recent incidents of violence in Shillong, including attacks and vandalism during a Khasi Students Union (KSU) bike rally. Instead of condemning the violence that unfolded in August this year, Sangma blamed the ‘system’ and the government for the lawlessness. “When people are agitated and angry, that means something is wrong in the system. Why is the government not hearing the public? Are there issues? Why has it led to sections of people becoming angry with the government?” Sangma remarked.
In August this year, a black-flag bike rally organised by the KSU turned violent, leaving several people injured and many vehicles damaged. Videos of the incident went viral on social media. Some masked men taking part in the rally attacked government and private vehicles, particularly those belonging to non-locals. After the rally, many people were found lying injured on roadsides.
This was followed by another incident of violence last month, when petrol bombs were hurled at Laban Police Station in Shillong. The Congress leader justified the hurling of petrol bombs, saying, “Why do you have to hurl a bomb to that extent? Why have people started agitating again and again and trying to damage public property?”
“This means something is wrong in the system. The government has to do a little bit of study, and the public themselves have to do a little bit of judgement,” he added.
Saleng Sangma’s call for global intervention in India’s internal matters, his association with the Christian missionary organisation, and the normalisation of violence are an indication that the Congress leader has little concern and regard for the law of the land and the country’s sovereignty.
