3 weeks ago
Christian bodies, Mizoram CM urge Centre to refer FCRA Bill
In India, the government has proposed a new law about how charities receive money from abroad, called the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026.
The government also changed the rules about foreign funding in June.
Many Christian churches and groups are worried about the changes.
They say honest charities that help poor and sick people will find it very hard to work.
The groups say they support transparency and safety, but they want the government to listen first.
They are asking the government to send the law to a special committee of lawmakers before it is finalised.
The Chief Minister of Mizoram made the same request, and leaders like Joseph D'Souza asked for the bill to be withdrawn.
Church leaders, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias and activist John Dayal, also asked the government to wait.
They met top government officials in New Delhi and handed over their concerns.
The groups hope their voices will be heard before the law is passed.
The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, is likely to be discussed in the last week of the Monsoon session.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and leading Christian bodies have urged the Centre to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, led by Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, appealed to the Union government to roll back the legislation and the amended FCRA rules notified on June 22.
The amended rules require NGOs to choose from a predefined list of purposes and exclude proselytisation from several categories eligible for FCRA registration.
A delegation from Mizoram met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum, while NCCI General Secretary Asir Ebenezer submitted the latest representation on August 6.
- Who
- Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Christian organisations and leaders including the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), the All India Christian Council, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Asir Ebenezer and human rights activist John Dayal.
- What
- They urged the Union government to refer the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee and to roll back the legislation and the amended FCRA rules.
- Where
- India, centred on New Delhi, with demands also raised by church bodies and the Chief Minister of Mizoram.
- When
- The appeal was reported on August 9, 2026; the Bill was introduced on March 25, 2026, the amended rules were notified on June 22, and the latest representation was submitted on August 6.
- Why
- Because provisions such as the exclusion of proselytisation and concerns over cessation and vesting mechanisms could create operational challenges for grassroots charitable organisations.
Union government (supporters of the Bill)
Christian organisations (seek rollback or JPC review)
Legislative process
Union government (supporters of the Bill)
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha and is due for discussion in the Monsoon session; amended rules were already notified on June 22.
Christian organisations (seek rollback or JPC review)
The Bill should be withdrawn or referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee so all stakeholders can examine the provisions before passage.
Impact on charitable work
Union government (supporters of the Bill)
Church bodies acknowledge that the foreign funding regime serves financial transparency and national security.
Christian organisations (seek rollback or JPC review)
Certain provisions create significant operational challenges for genuine grassroots charities, and institutions serving the vulnerable take generations to build.
Faith-based activities
Union government (supporters of the Bill)
The amended rules allow a range of faith-based activities while excluding proselytisation from several categories eligible for FCRA registration.
Christian organisations (seek rollback or JPC review)
The exclusion of proselytisation and other provisions have caused a massive backlash among the Christian community in India and overseas.
Key facts
- Legislation
- FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026
- Introduced
- Lok Sabha, March 25, 2026
- Amended FCRA rules notified
- June 22, 2026
- Key demand
- Referral of the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)
- Latest representation
- Submitted to Home Minister Amit Shah on August 6, 2026
- Main concern
- Exclusion of proselytisation and operational challenges for grassroots charities
- Organisations involved
- CBCI, NCCI, All India Christian Council, United Christian Forum, MKHC, CCM, National Church Mission Association
Quotes
NCCI General Secretary Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India
“In the spirit of democratic consultation, we respectfully appeal to the Union Government to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.”
theprint.in
“This will provide the NDA government an opportunity to make amendments to the vexed issues of the 2010 Act.”
theprint.in
Most Rev. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and Secretary General of CBCI
Archbishop of Delhi and Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
“as long-standing partners in nation-building through education, healthcare, and humanitarian service, irrespective of caste and creed, the CBCI respectfully appeals to the Government of India to reconsider and roll back the legislation.”
theprint.in
Sources
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