‘Clear attack against Christians’: US legislator warns FCRA amendment could hurt ties with India
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United States Congressman Riley Moore on Tuesday alleged that the Indian Parliament was trying to take control of churches and religious charities by amending the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. He warned that the passage of the draft legislation could hurt relations between Washington and New Delhi.
Registration under the Act is mandatory for a non-profit organisation to receive foreign funds.
“Christians have been in India since St Thomas the Apostle travelled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Moore said on social media.
Despite this long history, India’s Parliament is considering amending the rules “to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities”, he added.
“This is a clear attack against Christians,” said the Republican representative from West Virginia. “If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India.”
The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet commented on the matter.
The bill was introduced in Parliament in March during the Budget Session but has not been cleared by either of the Houses.
The proposed changes
A key provision of the draft legislation allows the Centre to take control of a non-governmental organisation’s foreign funds and assets if its FCRA registration lapses or is cancelled.
Under the proposed framework, such funds and assets...