After Congress, Mizoram opposition MNF joins Church campaign against FCRA bill despite Centre's clarifications
MNF urges Mizoram MPs to oppose the Bill in Parliament; comes days after Congress launched protests and the Centre clarified that places of worship and genuine NGOs would not be affected.
Total Views |
The political opposition against the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 continues to gather momentum in Christian-majority Mizoram, with the Mizo National Front (MNF) becoming the latest party to openly align with church bodies opposing the legislation.
_202607291125081209_H@@IGHT_400_W@@IDTH_700.jpg "FCRA")
Addressing reporters on Monday, MNF vice-president and Leader of Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte said the party views the proposed amendments as a serious threat to churches, educational institutions, orphanages and NGOs that receive foreign contributions.
"The MNF is firmly opposed to the FCRA Amendment Bill. We expect Mizoram's MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to strongly oppose it and not simply abstain during voting," Ralte said.
He alleged that the proposed amendments would make it more difficult for organisations to receive foreign funding and would tighten government control over assets created using foreign contributions.
According to reports, the Mizoram government is also preparing to submit a memorandum to the Centre seeking changes to the proposed legislation.
However, the Union Government has repeatedly stated that many of the concerns being circulated about the Bill are based on misconceptions.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) recently issued a detailed clarification stating that the proposed amendments do not permit arbitrary seizure of NGO assets and that places of worship attached to organisations will retain their religious character in all circumstances.
Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) and assured them that the proposed amendments were not aimed at Christian organisations. The meeting followed concerns expressed by church leaders over both the proposed Bill and the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, which require organisations receiving foreign funds to clearly specify their approved activities and areas of operation.
With both the Congress and MNF now publicly opposing the legislation alongside influential church bodies, the debate over the FCRA Amendment Bill has increasingly acquired a political dimension in Mizoram, where churches play a significant role in public life.
The proposed legislation, introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, is expected to be taken up for consideration during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Centre maintains that the amendments are intended to improve transparency and accountability in the utilisation of foreign contributions while safeguarding legitimate charitable and religious activities.
The development comes just days after the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee organised street protests demanding that the Bill be scrapped. The Congress had also urged the state government to mobilise churches and NGOs against the proposed amendments. Now, the MNF has similarly called upon the state's Members of Parliament to oppose the Bill when it is taken up in Parliament.
Addressing reporters on Monday, MNF vice-president and Leader of Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte said the party views the proposed amendments as a serious threat to churches, educational institutions, orphanages and NGOs that receive foreign contributions.
"The MNF is firmly opposed to the FCRA Amendment Bill. We expect Mizoram's MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to strongly oppose it and not simply abstain during voting," Ralte said.
He alleged that the proposed amendments would make it more difficult for organisations to receive foreign funding and would tighten government control over assets created using foreign contributions.
Church leadership also mobilising
The MNF's stand follows a meeting convened by Chief Minister Lalduhoma with the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC) and the Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM), where participants reportedly concluded that the Bill, in its present form, was unacceptable and required substantial amendments.
ALSO READ: Connecting open links: FCRA bill, Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike, US involvement, and CJP's violent protest
According to reports, the Mizoram government is also preparing to submit a memorandum to the Centre seeking changes to the proposed legislation.
Centre has already rejected key allegations
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) recently issued a detailed clarification stating that the proposed amendments do not permit arbitrary seizure of NGO assets and that places of worship attached to organisations will retain their religious character in all circumstances.
The PIB also clarified that the designated authority would manage only those assets created from foreign contributions after an organisation's FCRA registration has lawfully ceased. If registration is restored, the assets would also be restored. It further noted that decisions of the designated authority remain subject to judicial review and appeal before a District Judge.
Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) and assured them that the proposed amendments were not aimed at Christian organisations. The meeting followed concerns expressed by church leaders over both the proposed Bill and the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, which require organisations receiving foreign funds to clearly specify their approved activities and areas of operation.
Political campaign gains momentum
The proposed legislation, introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, is expected to be taken up for consideration during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Centre maintains that the amendments are intended to improve transparency and accountability in the utilisation of foreign contributions while safeguarding legitimate charitable and religious activities.