Catholic Bishops Urge India's Amit Shah to Withdraw FCRA Amendment Bill

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Amit Shah urging the withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 and its newly notified rules. The bishops warned that the draft legislation contains vague regulatory language, retrospective asset controls and provisions that could jeopardize charitable institutions serving the poor, especially Christian minorities and displaced communities in Manipur. They called for the bill and rules to be redrafted after broader stakeholder consultation and for safeguards to protect existing assets and rights.

The CBCI also highlighted concerns over religious freedom, the denial of Scheduled Caste status to many Christians, pending Supreme Court cases, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Manipur that has displaced thousands of families and disrupted education. The memorandum urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to take urgent steps to restore peace and communal harmony in the state. Political opponents, including Congress leader K. C. Venugopal, criticised the government for using the FCRA to target civil‑society organisations and minority‑run institutions.