Shillong, Apr 4: The All India Catholic Union (AICU) has demanded the complete withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, expressing serious concerns over provisions that would allow government authorities to seize and manage the assets of registered organisations.
In a press statement, the AICU, which is over a century old and stands as the largest laity national confederation in Asia, stated “With its memory of government intransigence and political perfidy, the Christian community cannot be fully satisfied until the union government withdraws the FCRA Amendment Bill in its entirety from both houses of parliament.”
The AICU has urged the union government to provide written assurances that no future actions will attempt to usurp the assets and institutions of the Church or infringe upon the constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.
AICU national president Er Elias Vaz said that the community has built these assets over decades and centuries, without reliance on government funds. He said these are meant for, and are being utilised in, essential humanitarian, educational, healthcare, and spiritual endeavours among the people of this nation including regions where there are no government facilities.
Partial or provisional measures serve only to erode public trust with the government’s Damocles sword perpetually hanging over the autonomy and dignity of religious institutions, the union said.
Stating that the proposed amendments are incompatible with constitutional guarantees under Articles 25, 26, 29, and 30, which safeguards freedom of conscience, religious autonomy, cultural and educational rights of minorities, and the independence of minority institutions the AICU said that the state cannot assume managerial control over religious or denominational property under the pretext of regulation.
Raising broader concerns, the AICU said, “The Christian community has consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency and compliance with regulatory frameworks, including the FCRA. Nevertheless, the pattern of enforcement since 2014 has raised serious questions of selective application. Successive amendments and widespread cancellations of licences have disproportionately affected organisations engaged in education, healthcare, and social service, creating an environment of uncertainty and constraint,” the statement said.
The AICU placed a set of demands before the government, including the immediate withdrawal of the bill, a formal assurance against future attempts to control Church institutions, and an independent review of all FCRA-related actions affecting more than 6,000 Christian organisations since 2014.
It also called for stricter action against hate speech and violence, and for structured dialogue between the government and Christian leadership.
