2 weeks ago
Mizoram BJP rejects church leaders' FCRA property seizure claims
There is an Indian law called the FCRA that controls money coming into the country from other places.
The government wants to change this law, and some church leaders in Mizoram are worried about the changes.
They are afraid that the new rules could let the government take away churches, schools, hospitals and other buildings.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mizoram says the church leaders are wrong.
The party says there is no such rule in the new bill.
Amit Shah, who is in charge of the home ministry, told the leaders that the changes are not meant to hurt Christian groups.
He also said the new rules would only apply going forward, not to things that happened before.
The leaders held a big meeting in Aizawl to talk about their worries, and the bill is now being studied by a special committee.
The BJP also said the Indian National Congress was using the issue as a political tool.
Mizoram BJP general secretary Delson Notlia accused church leaders of misleading the public over the FCRA Amendment Bill's property seizure provisions.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 and has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured delegations that the amendments would not have retrospective effect on earlier FCRA registration cancellations.
At an August 11 anti-FCRA rally in Aizawl, Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM) president Rev Dr R Lalbiakliana alleged assets could be seized and sold without judicial oversight.
Shah reportedly cited figures showing India received about Rs 17,000 crore in foreign contributions in 2025-26, with Christian organisations getting around Rs 3,000 crore (less than 15 per cent).
- Who
- Mizoram BJP general secretary Delson Notlia; Union Home Minister Amit Shah; Chief Minister Lalduhoma; CCM president Rev Dr R Lalbiakliana; and church leaders in Mizoram.
- What
- The Mizoram BJP rejected church leaders' claims that the FCRA Amendment Bill allows seizure of churches, schools and NGO properties, calling the information incorrect and misleading.
- Where
- Aizawl, Mizoram, India; the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
- When
- The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25; a BJP representation was submitted on July 13; Lalduhoma and church leaders met Shah on August 6; an anti-FCRA rally was held in Aizawl on August 11; the BJP press conference was held on Friday.
- Why
- Church leaders fear the amendments could allow authorities to seize and sell church and NGO assets without judicial oversight, while the BJP says the bill ensures transparency and prevents misuse of foreign contributions against national security.
Church leaders / Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM)
BJP and Union Government (Home Ministry)
Property seizure under Section 16A
Church leaders / Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM)
The FCRA Amendment Bill empowers authorities to seize and sell the assets and properties of churches and NGOs whose registrations are cancelled or not renewed, including schools, hospitals, vehicles and ambulances, without prior court permission or judicial oversight.
BJP and Union Government (Home Ministry)
There is no such provision in the FCRA Amendment Bill; the claims are incorrect, misleading and unfortunate, and the amendments only strengthen safeguards governing foreign contributions and national security.
Targeting Christian organisations
Church leaders / Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM)
The amendments threaten Christian organisations and church operations in Mizoram, with local funds used to build properties also at risk.
BJP and Union Government (Home Ministry)
Amit Shah made it clear the amendments are not aimed at the Christian community; Christian organisations received around Rs 3,000 crore, or less than 15 per cent, of India's roughly Rs 17,000 crore in 2025-26 foreign contributions.
Retrospective application
Church leaders / Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM)
Organisations whose FCRA registrations were cancelled could lose properties and assets acquired using foreign contributions.
BJP and Union Government (Home Ministry)
Shah assured the delegation that the proposed amendments would not have retrospective effect, and cancellations made before the 2026 amendments would not face retrospective action.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill
- Introduced
- Lok Sabha, March 25
- Status
- Referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)
- Disputed provision
- Section 16A (fears over seizure of properties and assets)
- Foreign contributions to India (2025-26)
- Around Rs 17,000 crore
- Christian organisations' share
- Around Rs 3,000 crore (less than 15 per cent)
- Key meetings with Amit Shah
- July 13: BJP representation by K Beichhua; August 6: Lalduhoma and church leaders
- Anti-FCRA rally
- Aizawl, August 11, led by CCM president Rev Dr R Lalbiakliana
Quotes
Delson Notlia
State BJP general secretary, Mizoram
“The proposed amendments would not have retrospective effect, and cancellations of FCRA registrations made before the 2026 amendments would not be subjected to retrospective action.”
telegraphindia.com
“There is no such provision in the FCRA Amendment Bill.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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