Christian groups seek withdrawal of FCRA Bill; RSS bodies back proposal

New Delhi: Christian organisations on Thursday demanded the withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, alleging that its provisions would undermine religious freedom and hamper services to marginalised communities. In contrast, RSS-linked organisations backed the proposed legislation, calling it a necessary step to regulate foreign funding.

The contrasting positions emerged at a joint parliamentary committee meeting examining the bill at the Parliament House complex here, where representatives of various organisations presented their views, sources said.

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Christian groups, including the National Council of Churches in India, Apostles Methodist Church and Evangelical Church of India, strongly opposed the proposed legislation, arguing that it would undermine the community's religious independence and restrict its ability to provide services to vulnerable sections of society.

On the other hand, RSS-linked organisations, including Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad and Rashtriya Sewa Bharati, welcomed the bill, maintaining that foreign contributions needed to be regulated and the proposed legislation was a step in the right direction.

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The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 and referred to JPC on August 12 following sustained objections from Opposition parties, which have argued that several provisions could choke legitimate foreign funding for Christian NGOs and minority-run social welfare and educational institutions. The government has rejected the allegations that the legislation targets minorities, maintaining that it is religion-neutral and seeks to ensure transparency and proper utilisation of foreign contributions.

While introducing the Bill, Union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai had said it was aimed at preventing the misuse of foreign funds. Responding to Opposition criticism that the legislation was "dangerous", Rai had said it was indeed dangerous for those involved in forced religious conversions using foreign contributions and those abusing foreign funding for personal gain.