3 weeks ago
FCRA Amendment Bill Stirs Minority Fears Over Asset Seizures
In India, a law called the FCRA controls how charity groups can use money that comes from other countries.
The government wants to change this law with the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026.
Under the new rules, if a group loses its FCRA permission, it could lose the buildings and property it built with foreign money.
That includes schools, hospitals and even places of worship.
A new 'designated authority' chosen by the government would take care of those buildings.
The government says this keeps foreign money from being used in harmful ways, and it has promised that old buildings will be kept safe.
It also promised that churches, mosques and other places of worship will not be changed into something different.
But many Christian and Muslim groups worry that the government could take their buildings without giving them a fair chance to explain their side.
They point to other groups in the past whose permission was taken away or cancelled.
International organisations such as Amnesty International have also said they are concerned about these changes.
The government is making a second push to ratify the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 after deferring it in April 2026 amid criticism and ahead of Kerala Assembly elections.
Under the bill, organisations that exit FCRA — voluntarily, for non-compliance, by missing renewal deadlines or through government cancellation — would lose assets created through foreign funds.
Seized assets would vest in a government-created 'designated authority' with no judicial checks and no deadline to decide appeals, and mixed-funded infrastructure could potentially be seized in full.
Critics point to FCRA enforcement under PM Modi's government that has targeted Christian and Muslim welfare groups as well as organisations such as Missionaries of Charity, Greenpeace and Amnesty International, while RSS-affiliated organisations faced no comparable scrutiny.
The government says seizure will not apply retrospectively and religious identity of seized places of worship will not be altered, but US Congressman Riley Moore called the bill 'a clear attack against Christians' and warned India's position at FATF could weaken.
- Who
- The Indian government and Parliament pushing the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, minority Christian and Muslim charitable organisations, and critics including journalist Bharat Bhushan and international bodies such as Amnesty International and US Congressman Riley Moore.
- What
- A second push to ratify the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, under which organisations losing FCRA status would also lose assets created through foreign funds.
- Where
- India, with the bill before Parliament in New Delhi and enforcement spanning organisations across the country.
- When
- 2026 — the bill was deferred in April 2026 ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, and a fresh ratification push is now underway.
- Why
- The government says the changes prevent foreign funds from compromising national security, public order or local demographics, while critics say the Narendra Modi government is using the bill to target minority institutions and expand discretionary power.
Government's position
Critics' concerns
Purpose of the amendments
Government's position
The bill's neutral language aims to prevent foreign funds from compromising national security, public order or shifting local demographics through proselytization.
Critics' concerns
The amendments are part of an ongoing ideological project that weaponises administrative lapses and leaves minority welfare organisations vulnerable to asset seizure.
Asset seizure safeguards
Government's position
Assurances were given that asset seizure will not apply retrospectively and that the religious identity of any seized place of worship will not be altered.
Critics' concerns
There are no judicial checks before seizure, no hearing before renewal is denied, no deadline for the designated authority to decide appeals and no interim relief mechanism.
FCRA enforcement record
Government's position
The government says the amendments do not discriminate on the basis of religion and are needed to enforce compliance with foreign funding rules.
Critics' concerns
Since PM Modi came to power, Christian and Muslim institutions — including the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action and Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation — have faced intense FCRA scrutiny, while RSS-affiliated organisations such as Seva Bharathi and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram faced no comparable checks.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026
- Earlier deferral
- April 2026, after criticism and ahead of Kerala Assembly elections
- Key provision
- Organisations exiting FCRA lose assets created through foreign funds
- Seized asset management
- Assets vest in a government-created 'designated authority'
- Appeal route
- Designated authority first, then district court within 90 days; no deadline for the authority to decide
- Government assurances
- No retrospective asset seizure; religious identity of seized places of worship unchanged
- Enforcement example
- Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity had FCRA renewal refused in December 2021, reversed two weeks later
- International response
- US Congressman Riley Moore called the amendments 'a clear attack against Christians'
- Constitutional concern
- Designated authority described as against the spirit of Article 100A of the Constitution
Quotes
US Congressman Riley Moore
U.S. Representative from New York known for civil‑society advocacy
“"a clear attack against Christians"”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Related news
Tamil Nadu Assembly Urges Centre to Withdraw FCRA Amendment Bill
FCRA Amendment Bill Explained: Key Changes, Opposition Concerns and Government Stand
Shashi Tharoor Slams FCRA Amendment Bill as 'Control, Not Transparency'
Assam Christian Forum Raises Concerns Over Foreign Funding Bill
Mizoram BJP rejects church leaders' FCRA property seizure claims
Amit Shah assures Mizoram CM: FCRA retrospective clause to go
Government Defends 7.8% GDP Growth as Congress Raises Doubts
BRICS Expansion Puts Membership and Reform at New Delhi Summit
Piyush Goyal Defends India’s 7.8% GDP Growth Amid Criticism
Mahua Moitra Questions India’s 7.8% GDP Growth Figures
Goyal Defends India’s 7.8% GDP Growth Amid Data Debate