Catholic bishops in India appeal to Minister Kiran Rijiju to rethink a proposed amendment they warn could harm charities and civil society.
Newsroom (10/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) A delegation of Catholic bishops has appealed to India’s federal minister for minorities, Kiran Rijiju, to revisit a controversial amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), warning that the proposed changes could stifle charitable and civil society work across the country.
The delegation, led by Cardinal Antony Poola, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), met with Rijiju on April 8 in New Delhi. The 90-minute meeting brought together bishops and legal experts who voiced deep concerns about the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, currently under review by the federal government.
“We informed the minister that if this amendment bill is passed, it can adversely impact the growth and development of the country as a whole,” said Father Mathew Koyickal, deputy secretary general of the CBCI. He emphasized that the Church’s concerns went beyond Christian institutions, covering all organizations that rely on foreign donations for humanitarian work.
According to participants, the delegation shared a detailed account of how the proposed provisions could harm the operations of civil society groups and NGOs that depend on international funding.
Concerns Over Misuse of Authority
Legal experts present at the meeting warned that the proposed amendment, while aiming to strengthen oversight, risks empowering officials with sweeping authority that could easily be misused.
“This amendment is going to open up floodgates of problems as it allows much room for gross misuse of the law by officials,” said Advocate Promod Singh, a New Delhi-based lawyer who attended the meeting. Singh cited specific clauses granting the government power to revoke an organization’s registration “even for a minor allegation of misuse of foreign money, without any notice.”
Calling such provisions “very dangerous,” Singh warned that “one person can ruin the good work of an institution at the stroke of a pen.” The likely fallout, he said, would be felt most acutely by millions of vulnerable people whose welfare programs rely on steady funding from abroad.
The delegation urged the government to consider a “curing period” — a grace window to rectify administrative errors — alongside the establishment of a transparent mechanism for addressing alleged violations rather than immediately suspending or cancelling registrations.
Government’s Response and Political Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet introduced the amendment bill on March 25, describing it as a measure to improve the transparency and accountability of foreign-funded organizations. However, the government withdrew it shortly afterward amid growing opposition and calls for consultation from multiple sectors.
Under the withdrawn draft, the government would have gained powers to take control of assets created using foreign contributions once an organization’s registration is suspended, cancelled, surrendered, or not renewed. The bill also sought to introduce a new Section 14B, which provides for the “deemed cessation” of registration if not timely renewed.
After hearing the bishops’ delegation, Rijiju assured that the bill will not be tabled in the current parliamentary session and that “wider discussions with all stakeholders” will follow before any future move.
Cardinal Poola said that in addition to meeting Rijiju, the CBCI has requested an audience with Home Minister Amit Shah to convey their apprehensions directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees foreign contribution regulations.
“Catholic bishops across India will individually request parliamentarians in their respective areas for their support,” Cardinal Poola added, underscoring the Church’s intent to continue dialogue through democratic and institutional channels.
Broader Implications for Civil Society
The FCRA has long been a matter of contention between the Indian government and non-governmental organizations. Critics argue that frequent tightening of FCRA norms erodes trust between the state and the voluntary sector, while officials maintain that stricter oversight prevents misuse of foreign funds for unlawful or non-developmental activities.
The bishops’ initiative marks one of the most organized responses from religious leaders in recent years, reflecting growing unease within India’s philanthropic and rights-based organizations. As the government signals openness to dialogue, both civil society and policymakers now face the challenge of balancing regulatory integrity with the freedom essential for humanitarian outreach.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form UCA News
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