Catholic bishops and Kerala political leaders unite to oppose India’s proposed FCRA amendment, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Newsroom (31/03/2026 Gaudium Press )Catholic Church leaders in India have joined forces with ruling and opposition politicians from Kerala to oppose proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), warning that the changes could jeopardize civil society and minority institutions across the country.
In a strongly worded statement on March 28, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) said the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, approved by the federal cabinet last week, poses a “grave threat” to charitable, social, and educational organizations that rely on foreign donations. The bishops called the bill “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and contrary to the principles of natural justice.”
Concerns Over Government Control and “Deemed Cessation”
Under the proposed amendments, the government would gain the authority to assume control of assets created using foreign contributions once an organization’s FCRA registration is suspended, canceled, surrendered, or not renewed. A new clause—Section 14B—introduces “deemed cessation” of registration upon expiry or refusal of renewal, effectively allowing the government to halt operations without due process.
The bill also seeks to impose stricter timelines on the receipt and use of foreign contributions, which officials claim are meant to “enhance transparency, accountability, and legal certainty.” However, church leaders fear these provisions could translate into arbitrary control and selective enforcement.
“The excessive regulatory measures grant wide discretionary powers to authorities,” the CBCI said, adding that such moves “risk misuse, executive overreach, and erosion of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.”
Kerala’s Political Leaders Back Church Appeal
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and opposition Congress leader V.D. Satheesan have both written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to withdraw or revise the contentious clauses.
In a letter dated March 30, Vijayan cautioned that the sweeping powers proposed under the bill could lead to “arbitrary use” of authority, disproportionately impacting organizations engaged in vital service work. “The existing legal framework already provides sufficient mechanisms to prevent misuse of foreign funds,” he wrote. “Additional stringent provisions are unnecessary and risk undermining the autonomy of genuine institutions.”
Satheesan echoed Vijayan’s concerns, warning that the amendments could trap legitimate organizations in procedural lapses rather than targeting real wrongdoing. He emphasized that India’s minority institutions had long contributed to nation-building, particularly through education and healthcare, and that the new law would “hinder their ability to continue vital community work.”
Broader Pushback From Civil Society
The CBCI’s appeal has drawn support from several Christian and non-Christian organizations across India that depend on foreign funding for humanitarian work. They jointly urged the federal government to “withdraw the proposed amendment and allow them to continue their works peacefully.”
Observers note that the controversy reflects deeper tensions between the government’s push for tighter control over NGOs and the need to preserve the independence of faith-based and civil society groups. Critics argue the amendments could normalize administrative clampdowns on dissent and service organizations, particularly those working with vulnerable communities.
As debate continues, the federal government has yet to publicly respond to the mounting criticism. But for India’s religious minorities, activists, and social institutions, the message from Kerala’s church and political leaders is united and clear: the FCRA amendment, as proposed, threatens the democratic and plural foundations of the republic.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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