Catholic body meets Home Minister Shah, flags concerns over FCRA Bill, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) met with Home Minister Amit Shah to raise concerns regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026.
• The CBCI specifically objected to the inclusion of the term "proselytisation" in the rules, arguing it lacks definition and could be misused against charitable activities.
• Concerns were also raised about a provision in the Bill allowing a "designated authority" to take over assets of NGOs whose FCRA registration is suspended, cancelled, or not renewed.
• The FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, notified on June 22, 2026, mandate NGOs to specify their activities under five categories and the geographic areas of operation.
• The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, 2026, but its discussion and passage were deferred following opposition.

Detailed Insights:

• The CBCI memorandum highlighted that the term "proselytisation" has no relevance to FCRA activities and its inclusion could degrade the humanitarian services provided by faith-based organizations.
• The FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, permit 16 categories of religious activities, including religious education and meditation retreats, but explicitly bar "proselytisation".
• The proposed "designated authority" would possess powers akin to a civil court, enabling it to order the transfer or sale of NGO assets to the government or other bodies.
• The CBCI argued that the asset takeover provision could be applied retrospectively and should only occur after a full adjudication process, including appeals to a regular court.
• They also advocated for differentiating between minor and major violations, suggesting that technical or financially meagre infractions should not lead to severe penalties like registration cancellation or asset confiscation.
• The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, aims to expand government authority over foreign contributions and assets of civil society organizations.
• The amendments reflect a broader policy shift towards increased regulatory oversight and control over the non-profit sector in India.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA): An Indian law regulating the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and companies.
• Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026: Proposed legislation seeking to amend the FCRA, 2010, to further regulate foreign funding and NGO assets.
• FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026: Rules notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 22, 2026, introducing changes to the regulatory framework for foreign contributions.
• Proselytisation: The act of attempting to convert someone from one religion, belief, or opinion to another.