Mizoram BJP Accuses Church Leaders Of Spreading FCRA Bill Misinformation

Aizawl: The opposition BJP in Mizoram on Friday accused some church leaders of spreading "incorrect" information about the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), and misleading the people.

Addressing a press conference here, state BJP general secretary Delson Notlia said the FCRA Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 for ensuring transparency and preventing the misuse of foreign contributions for activities deemed detrimental to national security.

Notlia said Christian organisations and NGOs had raised concerns, particularly over Section 16A, which they feared could facilitate the seizure of properties and assets acquired using FCRA funds if an organisation's registration was cancelled for violations.

Pointing to a series of meetings between Christian representatives and Union ministers over the issue, he said Mizoram BJP president K Beichhua had submitted a representation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on July 13.

Notlia said Shah had made it clear during the discussions that the proposed amendments were not aimed at the Christian community but sought to strengthen safeguards governing foreign contributions and national security.

He claimed Shah had cited figures showing that India received around Rs 17,000 crore in foreign contributions during 2025-26, of which Christian organisations received around Rs 3,000 crore, or less than 15 per cent.

He said Chief Minister Lalduhoma and church leaders from Mizoram met Shah on August 6 and raised concerns over provisions relating to the seizure of properties and assets following cancellation of FCRA registrations.

Notlia said Shah assured the delegation that the proposed amendments would not have retrospective effect and that cancellations of FCRA registrations made before the 2026 amendments would not be subjected to retrospective action.

He criticised statements allegedly made by some church leaders at an anti-FCRA rally held in Aizawl on August 11.

Notlia accused the leaders of misleading the public by claiming that the proposed amendments could result in the seizure of churches, schools and other buildings purchased or constructed using locally collected funds.

"There is no such provision in the FCRA Amendment Bill," he said, describing the claims as misleading and unfortunate.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) amid the protests over it.

At the August 11 rally, Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM) president Rev Dr R Lalbiakliana had alleged that the Bill contained provisions that could empower authorities to seize and sell the assets and properties of churches and NGOs whose FCRA registrations were cancelled or not renewed.

He had also alleged that schools, hospitals, buildings, vehicles and ambulances acquired or constructed using foreign contributions or local funds could be confiscated by a designated authority without prior court permission or judicial oversight.

The BJP accused the state Congress of using the FCRA issue as a political tool and attempting to draw church leaders into partisan politics.