New Delhi: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and several prominent Christian organizations launched coordinated social media appeals on Sunday, August 9, urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. They also called for the controversial legislation to be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for thorough review and wider consultation.This collective push comes as Parliament prepares to discuss the bill, with an earlier plan for its passage in the Lok Sabha on August 12.[thehindu+2]
Widespread Appeals for Review
The synchronous appeals, disseminated across platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp, involved influential bodies such as the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), and the Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM).These groups, along with the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitu Committee (MKHC), representing various Christian denominations in Mizoram, have voiced deep concerns about the proposed amendments.[thehindu+2]
Chief Minister Lalduhoma personally met with Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, accompanied by church leaders, to present a memorandum outlining their objections.He emphasized the need for inclusive and transparent policymaking, hoping the Union government would consider their request.Lalduhoma also highlighted the ruling Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) firm stance, stating that its two Members of Parliament would oppose the bill if it fails to address the state's specific concerns.The ZPM's Political Affairs Committee held discussions on the FCRA issue at the Chief Minister's official residence on August 5, adopting a clear position against the bill in its current form.[timesofindia+9]
Deep Concerns Over Asset Control
Critics of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, warn that it could grant the government unprecedented power over the assets of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).This includes Christian ministries, hospitals, schools, and various charitable organizations that depend on foreign donations for their operations.The bill specifically expands the government's authority to take control of assets created through foreign contributions if an organization's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or not renewed.This provision has raised alarms among religious freedom advocates, who fear it could threaten the existence and long-term ministry operations of many organizations.[persecution+6]
The delegation, representing Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches across India, stated that the bill "travels far beyond regulation."They argued that if enacted in its current form, it "will occasion hardship of a kind that no subsequent order of any court or authority will be able to undo."The church bodies specifically requested the withdrawal of the bill in its entirety or, alternatively, its referral to a JPC for a comprehensive review of the principal FCRA Act of 2010 itself.[timesofindia+2]
A key concern is the bill's provision for a "Designated Authority" to manage and dispose of foreign contributions and assets, including provisional and permanent vesting.This means that if an organization's certificate is cancelled, surrendered, or ceases to be valid, its foreign contributions and assets could vest provisionally, and then permanently, in this authority.The delegation urged for the repeal of the existing Section 15 of the FCRA 2010 to prevent any provision for the vesting of foreign contributions or assets.They also emphasized that the bill and its rules should operate prospectively, arguing that retrospective application of regulatory provisions could create uncertainty and expose bona fide organizations to penalties for past procedural variations.[newindianexpress+3]
Government's Stance and Past Amendments
The Indian government maintains that the amendment aims to strengthen oversight of foreign contributions and prevent the misuse of funds.Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, in March, dismissed claims that the bill targets religious organizations, calling such rumors "false, fabricated, and misleading."He emphasized that the legislation aims to curb illegal funds used against national interest.Rijiju also stated that the bill explicitly protects all places of worship from government takeover, conversion, secularization, or repurposing.[persecution+4]
Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly assured Chief Minister Lalduhoma that the proposed amendments would not apply retrospectively.This assurance came during their meeting, where Shah also indicated that the bill would be debated in Parliament on August 12.However, sources suggest the government might now consider the appeals to send the bill to a JPC.[timesofindia+4]
The current debate follows earlier, increasingly restrictive amendments to the FCRA. In 2020, the government implemented changes that banned organizations from transferring foreign funds to other NGOs.It also mandated that foreign contributions be received through a designated bank account in New Delhi and reduced the percentage of foreign funds organizations could spend on administrative expenses.Since 2010, over 22,000 organizations have had their FCRA registrations cancelled, and more than 15,000 additional registrations have expired without renewal.[persecution+5]
Religious freedom advocates warn that while the government aims to regulate foreign funding, the law should not become a tool for restricting legitimate religious expression and humanitarian service.They highlight that accusations of illegal religious conversion have increasingly been used as justification for government action and public hostility against Christian organizations.[persecution+1]
What Happens Next
The appeals from Chief Minister Lalduhoma and various Christian bodies underscore the significant opposition to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Their call for a Joint Parliamentary Committee review seeks to ensure broader consultation and address specific concerns before the legislation is finalized.The government's decision on whether to proceed with the bill's passage as planned or to refer it to a JPC will be a critical next step in this ongoing debate.[english]
