CBCI opposes FCRA amendment bill, calls it unconstitutional
FCRA debate heats up
New Delhi | Desk: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has strongly opposed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 introduced by the Central Government labeling it unconstitutional and contrary to the principles of natural justice. During a press conference on Saturday, CBCI Deputy Secretary General Matthew Koyickal expressed deep concern over specific provisions of the Bill that empower the Central Government to take control of the assets, funds, and properties of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and minority institutions in the event of registration cancellation, voluntary surrender, or failure to renew registration on time.
Koyickal warned that these "repressive" measures grant discretionary powers to authorities, thereby heightening the risk of executive overreach and the infringement of constitutional liberties.
However, amidst this protest, questions have begun to surface regarding the Church's support for last year's Waqf (Amendment) Act. Last year, when there was widespread opposition to legislation aimed at curtailing the Muslim community's control over Waqf properties, the CBCI had supported that amendment driven by the context of the Munambam land dispute in Kerala.
Now, opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) along with representatives from the Christian community itself have raised objections to this 'double standard' displayed by the Church.
The MPs argue that when the Church supported state intervention in the Waqf dispute, they were cautioned at the time that such a precedent could eventually prove detrimental to Christian charitable institutions as well. Currently, the CBCI has demanded that the government remove contentious provisions such as those pertaining to asset acquisitionfrom the Bill and establish an appellate authority.
