India not a banana republic, FCRA rules needed to monitor foreign funds: Rijiju

Union minister Kiren Rijiju stated that India is not a "banana republic" and emphasised the need for rules and regulations governing the use of foreign funds. His comments came as the government pushed legislation to regulate foreign funding to NGOs and address concerns over proselytisation.

The proposed amendments have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who have termed the bill "anti-minority". Union minister Nityanand Rai moved the motion in the Lok Sabha after parliamentary proceedings resumed.