India’s federal minister for minority affairs has promised to address concerns of Christians on the proposed amendments to a special law regulating foreign donations meant for charitable works. Source: UCA News.
Kiran Rijiju met Christian leaders from different denominations, including Catholics, on April 3 in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of southern Kerala state.
“I have given full assurance to the Christian community that they do not need to worry at all,” Mr Rijiju said.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, has been put on hold, and further discussions on it will be held after the April 9 state assembly polls in Kerala, whose results are to be declared on May 4.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet cleared the amendment bill aimed at strengthening oversight on foreign donations coming to the country and used for charitable works.
The amended law will have a statutory mechanism that allows the government to take control of assets created using foreign contributions, after an organisation’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration is “suspended, cancelled, surrendered, or not renewed”.
It has also imposed clear timelines on organisations for the receipt and use of foreign contributions “to enhance transparency, accountability, and legal certainty,” the bill states.
Christian organisations, including the Catholic Church, opposed the bill, saying it would hurt genuine civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that receive foreign contributions.
Mr Rijiju said the government will protect all genuine NGOs and civil society groups that work for the welfare of the country.
The FCRA, when amended, “will target only those illegal organisations working against India’s interest and those who are illegally funnelling the money for wrongful purposes,” he stressed.
Mr Rijiju said that good organisations should not worry, “especially the Christian organisations”.
Fr Eugene Pereira, Vicar General of the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum, who was part of the Christian delegation that met Mr Rijiju, said that “the minister understood that our organisations play a key role in development” of the nation.
The bill was listed for consideration on April 1 in the lower house of the Indian Parliament; however, it was shelved following opposition from Christians and some opposition parliamentarians, among others.
FULL STORY
India’s minorities minister assures Christians on foreign donations law (UCA News)
