Seeks assurance against curbs on Church institutions, wants review
MARGAO
The All India Catholic Union has demanded the immediate and complete withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, without any reintroduction in the same or modified form.
The Union has further called for a formal, unambiguous assurance, preferably articulated in Parliament, that no future legislative, administrative, or other measures will be initiated to target or appropriate Church assets and institutions or to restrict the lawful exercise of religious freedom and associated charitable activities.
The Union has demanded an independent review of all FCRA-related actions affecting more than 6,000 Christian organisations since 2014, with appropriate restoration in cases lacking evidence of financial impropriety. “Effective and demonstrable steps to address hate speech, ensure swift prosecution of those responsible for violence against religious minorities, and establish a robust statutory mechanism for monitoring and redressal of communal incidents. The commencement of structured, meaningful dialogue with Christian leadership, including the AICU, on all issues pertaining to minority rights and institutional autonomy,” the Union has further demanded.
The All India Catholic Union has reminded the government of the community’s contribution to nation-building for generations—producing distinguished writers, sportspersons, and professionals in science, medicine, education, public service, and the defence forces, while responding selflessly to every national emergency. Christian institutions have facilitated social mobility and human development without precondition or discrimination. Any effort to restrict or control this work is not merely an infringement upon one community; it imperils the pluralistic social fabric that has defined India’s civilisational strength.
“The FCRA Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2026, seeks to empower a ‘designated authority’ with sweeping powers to seize, manage, or dispose of the assets and funds of any organisation registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act—including churches, educational institutions, hospitals, orphanages, and charitable trusts—upon cancellation, suspension, or non-renewal of registration. This provision is not a routine regulatory adjustment but represents an extraordinary encroachment upon the rights enshrined in Article 26 of the Constitution, which guarantees to every religious denomination the right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion and to administer its property in accordance with law,” stated AICU National President Er Elias Vaz.
He added: “From a constitutional perspective, the proposed amendments raise grave concerns regarding compatibility with Articles 25, 26, 29, and 30, which collectively safeguard freedom of conscience, religious autonomy, cultural and educational rights of minorities, and the independence of minority institutions. The State cannot assume managerial control over religious or denominational property under the pretext of regulation. The Christian community has consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency and compliance with regulatory frameworks, including the FCRA. Nevertheless, the pattern of enforcement since 2014 has raised serious questions of selective application. Successive amendments and widespread cancellations of licences have disproportionately affected organisations engaged in education, healthcare, and social service, creating an environment of uncertainty and constraint.”
