Now Reading: FCRA Bill sent to JPC as Church, North East CMs react
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FCRA Bill sent to JPC as Church, North East CMs react
The Centre has referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The move drew sharply divided reactions. The Catholic Church and Christian NGOs called the…
The Story in Brief
The Centre has referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The move drew sharply divided reactions. The Catholic Church and Christian NGOs called the Bill 'draconian' and demanded its withdrawal, warning it allows state seizure of unutilised foreign funds and assets of charitable, educational and religious institutions. Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah urging wider consultation. Auxiliary bishop Savio Fernandes questioned if it is 'regulation or state control'.
In contrast, the chief ministers of Mizoram and Nagaland, Lalduhoma and Neiphiu Rio, welcomed the JPC reference. The Assam Christian Forum also called it a democratic step. The Bill's critics say it weaponises FCRA to harass NGOs and acquire their properties, especially in states with anti-conversion laws.
The Indian Opinion
The FCRA Bill is being painted either as state overreach by some Christian groups or as a routine transparency measure by the government. Missing from the noise: the actual text empowers officials to seize assets, a fear the Centre has not addressed. The JPC is a test. Will it hear genuine NGO concerns about asset seizure, or will it be a rubber stamp? The final report will show where the balance truly lies.
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
