The government has referred the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) amendment bill to a 31-member joint parliamentary committee (JPC) amid protests from the Opposition. The move came as Home Minister Amit Shah's offer to discuss the recent student protests was turned down by Opposition parties, who said he lacked the courage to debate them.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to end on Thursday, has seen little legislative business so far. No Question Hour was held, and several bills were passed during disruptions. The Opposition has been demanding that Shah respond to allegations of police excess against protesters.
Shah said he was ready to answer all questions on the issue, but the Opposition rejected his offer, criticising what they called an 'undemocratic' time limit for the discussion. The JPC referral of the FCRA bill is seen as an attempt to defuse tensions, though Opposition parties continued to press their demands as the session entered its final phase.