New Delhi, Aug 9 (PTI) Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and leading Christian organisations have urged the Centre to refer the contentious Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination before it is taken up by Parliament.
In June this year, the government notified amended FCRA rules for receiving foreign funds, requiring non-governmental organisations to choose from a predefined list of purposes and areas of operation. While allowing a range of faith-based activities, the rules explicitly excluded proselytisation from several categories eligible for registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 this year and is likely to be taken up for discussion during the last week of the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament. Raising concerns over proposed changes to regulations governing foreign funding, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has appealed to the Union government to roll back the proposed legislation, alongside newly introduced rules notified on June 22.
The apex body of the Catholic church in India urged the Centre to refer the proposed legislation to a JPC for detailed examination and structured dialogue with civil society stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the Christian community, Most Rev. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and Secretary General of the CBCI, emphasised the church’s historic contribution to social welfare across the country and said that 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.
While affirming the community’s full support for financial transparency and national security, Archbishop Couto, in a video appeal, highlighted that certain provisions present significant operational challenges for genuine grassroots charitable organisations, both faith-based and otherwise.
The appeal joins growing calls from various Christian organisations and regional leaders requesting wider consultations before any legislative action is finalised.
All India Christian Council President Joseph D’Souza also demanded withdrawal of the FCRA Bill and sending it to JPC which is the only “sensible way” forward, and said the proposed legislation has already resulted in massive backlash among the Christian community in India and overseas. Lalduhoma said the proposed legislation was currently under consideration by the Union government and urged it to refer the Bill to a JPC to ensure concerns and suggestions from different regions and stakeholders are thoroughly examined prior to finalisation.
The Mizoram chief minister said he recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi alongside leaders of the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitu Committee (MKHC) and the Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM), which represent various Christian denominations across the state.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Ministry outlining its concerns regarding specific provisions of the proposed law, Lalduhoma said in a post on Facebook.
“In the spirit of democratic consultation, we respectfully appeal to the Union Government to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee,” Lalduhoma said, expressing hope that the request would be considered in the interest of inclusive and transparent policymaking.
The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) has also appealed to the Centre to hold back the passage of the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, until stakeholders are given an opportunity to examine its provisions and suggest modifications.
In a video message on X, NCCI General Secretary Asir Ebenezer said representatives of the Christian community had submitted several representations to the Centre, with the latest submitted to Home Minister Shah on August 6.
He urged Shah to recommend that the Bill not be passed until all stakeholders receive a fair opportunity to help build a regulatory framework that ensures accountability for both registered organisations and the regulatory authority.
Ebenezer raised concerns over provisions relating to cessation and the proposed vesting mechanism, including how the vesting authority would be constituted and operated. He also called for administrative and judicial review mechanisms to be built into the proposed system.
“This will provide the NDA government an opportunity to make amendments to the vexed issues of the 2010 Act,” Ebenezer said, adding that the NCCI remains committed to a transparent and fair regulatory structure.
Richard Howell, chairman of the National Church Mission Association, also appealed to Parliament to refer the Bill to a standing committee, noting that institutions serving vulnerable sections of society take generations to build.
“We deeply respect the urgent need for transparency, but institutions serving the vulnerable take generations to build,” Howell said, urging Parliament to ensure civil society organisations and community voices are heard before the legislation is finalized.
In a post on X, A C Michael, National Coordinator, United Christian Forum, urged Home Minister Shah to send the Bill to JPC for discussion.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay, also urged Shah “to not rush with this matter” and suggested that the Bill be sent to a parliamentary sub-committee for study.
Rev Dr Sunil M Caleb, former principal, Bishop’s College Calcutta, requested the Modi government to send the FCRA Bill to a parliamentary committee for proper scrutiny.
In a video message, Most Rev. Stephen Rotluanga, Bishop of Aizawl, asked the Centre “to not pass the Bill as it is” and urged the government to take into consideration suggestions of all sections of society in India.
Noted Human Rights activists John Dayal also urged the Centre to send the Bill to JPC. PTI SKL KVK KVK
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