Shillong, April 4: The All India Catholic Union (AICU) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, warning that the proposed law could undermine religious freedom and minority rights.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, 2026. The Act regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and companies.
In a strongly worded statement, the AICU said the Christian community would not accept any partial rollback or delay, insisting the bill be scrapped in its entirety. It also sought a clear assurance from the Union government that there would be no attempt to take control of Church-run institutions or assets.
The organisation flagged provisions in the bill that would allow authorities to take over or dispose of assets of organisations whose FCRA licences are cancelled or suspended, calling it a “serious encroachment” on constitutional protections.
It argued that such powers could violate rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26, which ensure freedom of religion and institutional autonomy.
The AICU also questioned the government’s track record, alleging that FCRA enforcement in recent years has disproportionately affected institutions engaged in education, healthcare, and social work.
Citing reports of over 700 incidents of violence against Christians in 2025, the group said the community was facing growing insecurity, with instances of disrupted prayers, vandalism, and assaults reported across states.
“The issue cannot be treated as a matter of political convenience,” the statement said, adding that temporary measures or delays would not address the concerns of the community.
The AICU placed a set of demands before the government, including a complete rollback of the bill, an independent review of FCRA actions since 2014, and concrete steps to curb violence and hate speech against minorities.
