New Delhi, Nov 12 A number of Christian groups on Thursday strongly opposed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 and demanded its withdrawal, while RSS-linked organisations hailed the proposed legislation, terming it a right step towards regulating foreign funding.
The Christian and RSS-linked organisations submitted their views at a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the FCRA Bill held at the Parliament House complex here, sources aware of the matter told PTI.
The Christian groups vehemently opposed the FCRA Bill, claiming that if the proposed legislation becomes a law, it will completely destroy the religious independence of the community. They also claimed that it will stop services rendered to marginalised sections of the society.
The Christian groups further submitted that such a Bill, if passed by Parliament, will prevent them from rendering services to the vulnerable sections of the society, the sources said.
However, the RSS-linked organisations complimented the Bill and said foreign money needs to be regulated, and the proposed legislation is a right step on the part of the government.
Those who submitted their opinions before the Committee included Apostles Methodist Church, National Council of Churches in India, Evangelical Church of India, Jesus Redeems, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad and Rashtriya Sewa Bharati besides others.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 this year and referred to the Committee on August 12 following consistent demand of the opposition parties, which also alleged that certain provisions of the legislation were highly objectionable.
The opposition parties, which have raised strong objections to the FCRA Bill, alleged that it targets minorities as certain provisions will choke legitimate funding for Christian NGOs and minority-run social welfare and educational institutions.
The government has rejected the charges and challenged the opposition parties to identify even one provision that discriminates against the minorities.
The government has also maintained that the proposed legislation is not religion-specific and is aimed at regulating foreign contributions.
While introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had said the legislation aims to enhance transparency and ensure proper utilisation of funds received from abroad.
Countering the opposition’s charges that the Bill is “dangerous”, Rai had asserted that it is “indeed dangerous” for those who engage in “forced religious conversion” using foreign contributions, as well as to individuals who “abuse foreign funding” for personal gains.
(PTI News)
