Catholic Bishops' Conference flags concerns over FCRA Amendment Bill to Home Minister
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) met Home Minister Amit Shah to express concerns over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and its associated Rules. The CBCI specifically objected to the term "proselytisation" in the Rules, arguing it has no relevance to FCRA activities and could be misused to misinterpret charitable and humanitarian services as religious conversion. They also opposed the Bill's provision allowing a "designated authority" to take over, manage, or dispose of NGO assets created from foreign funds, especially its retrospective application and the lack of a judicial finality before such actions.
Key Points
- The CBCI raised objections to specific provisions of the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, and its Rules.
- They opposed the inclusion of "proselytisation" in the Rules, fearing misinterpretation of charitable activities as religious conversion.
- Concerns were also raised about the Bill's provision allowing a "designated authority" to seize NGO assets without judicial finality.
- The CBCI emphasized that violations should be differentiated into minor and major, with proportionate penalties.
Exam Facts
- Bill: Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.
- Rules: FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, notified on June 22.
- Body: Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).
- Met Home Minister Amit Shah.
- The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 25.
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