The Church community in India, from the prominent Catholic Bishops Conference to local pastors in rural areas, has expressed relief as the government seems ready to send the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment (FCRA) Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). This news arrives after a period of uncertainty and concern among many.
According to reports, a motion may be introduced before parliament wraps up on August 13, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju aiming to calm the concerns of Christian bodies and civil society groups. The hope is that this will give the government breathing room to tackle other pressing political issues.
The bill was first presented in the Lok Sabha on March 25, but there has been little progress in the past five months amidst widespread protests. A key point of contention is a provision suggesting that when an organization’s FCRA registration ends or is canceled, its assets built with foreign funding could automatically be transferred to a government-appointed authority without any court review.
This raises alarms about schools, hospitals, orphanages, and church buildings funded over many years by foreign donations, now at risk of being seized whenever the government decides an organization’s license lapses.
Recently, a group of Christian leaders, including senior bishops and P. Wilson from the opposition party, met with Federal Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss these concerns. They were assured that the new law would not be applied retroactively, but this concession only addresses the timing, not the ongoing tightening of regulations impacting churches and NGOs.
A JPC is different from a standard committee as it includes members from both houses of parliament and can cover various ministries. However, any report from the JPC, while potentially critical, is just advisory and is not guaranteed to change the government’s stance.
Despite hearing concerns from an American senator on behalf of Indian Christians, the government’s intention to push forward with its legal framework remains clear.
As the parliament’s monsoon session ends on August 14 and the FCRA Bill lapses, it can still be reintroduced next year, possibly without the controversial clauses. Thus, interpreting the referral to a JPC as a sign of the government reconsidering its aims would be misleading.
The Ministry of External Affairs has responded to U.S. concerns about the bill by emphasizing it as an internal matter. This mirrors India’s approach to various international human rights issues, including violence against Christians in different regions.
This FCRA Bill is part of a long-term trend that restricts the operational space for foreign-funded organizations, particularly those connected to the Christian community in vital areas like health and education.
Current data indicates a significant drop in active FCRA certificates, with many organizations, especially those affiliated with Christian groups, losing their registrations.
The Church faces a stark reality: it needs to formulate a contingency plan, as many NGOs admit they currently lack one. The government-controlled Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding will not replace lost foreign support.
While CSR spending reached about 270 billion rupees last year, most of it goes to a small group of well-connected NGOs, leaving many organizations struggling to secure funds.
Expecting corporations with strong government ties to fund community projects, especially in today’s climate, poses a major challenge. CSR was never intended to fill the gap left by foreign donations for essential work in marginalized communities.
With the chance to approach the JPC, the Church and NGOs have some time to formulate a plan in case the government introduces another bill next year.
It’s crucial for the Church and associated groups to rally support from trade unions, rights organizations, and other civil liberties activists who may also feel threatened by the proposed legislative changes.
Additionally, they need a well-prepared legal strategy ready if any version of this bill passes, rather than waiting until after it becomes law.
Honesty within the Church community about shifting toward domestic fundraising and building sustainable support is essential for facing these new challenges.
The referral to the JPC does not change the government’s goals, but it does offer an opportunity for the Christian community to prepare thoroughly to avoid the panic experienced during the discussions around the 2026 bill.
*The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent any official stance.
