The influential Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has urged the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio to emulate Kerala assembly move and pass a resolution by Nagaland legislature seeking "repeal" of the FCRA bill 2026.
"While taking cognizance of the precedence in the Kerala Legislative Assembly where they have passed a resolution urging the Union government to repeal the FCRA bill 2026. We therefore, urge the Nagaland government to take a bold stand and do the same," said the NBCC in a communique addressed to Chief Minister Rio.
The new Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill seeks to 'overhaul' how the government manages the assets of NGOs, charities, and religious institutions whose FCRA licenses are cancelled, surrendered, or expire without renewal.
It among other things grants a government-appointed "Designated Authority" sweeping powers to take over and repurpose foreign-funded assets.
We bring Christian greeting in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
"We write to you on behalf of the 21 Baptist Associations, 4 Associate members, with 1,626 congregations and 7,48,532 baptized members across the state of Nagaland, with profound concern over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.
We respectfully urge your immediate intervention with the Government of India to seek the withdrawal of the proposed Bill, which, if enacted in its present form, would have serious and far-reaching consequences for churches, Christian institutions, charitable organizations, and the larger civil society engaged in humanitarian and developmental service," said the communique signed by
Rev. Achu Chang President, NBCC
Rev Dr. Mar Pongener, General Secretary, NBCC
and Villo Naleo Secretary, Social Concern, NBCC
"The Church in Nagaland has, for well over a century, stood as a faithful partner in the holistic development of our people. The Church has consistently invested in education, healthcare, peacebuilding, disaster relief, youth empowerment, women’s development, de-addiction ministries, and care for the poor and marginalized-not for profit, but as an expression of the Gospel of Jesus Christ," it said.
Hence it maintained that ;-- "Foreign contributions received through lawful and transparent means have enabled Christian organizations to sustain these ministries, particularly in remote and economically disadvantaged regions where resources are scarce.
These contributions are not instruments of political influence but expressions of Christian fellowship, compassion, and partnership in serving humanity."
For Nagaland, the "implications" of the new proposed law are especially significant.
"Churches are not merely religious institutions; they are foundational social institutions that have shaped the educational, moral, cultural, and humanitarian landscape of our State," the NBCC said.
"We fully acknowledge the sovereign authority of the Government of India to regulate foreign contributions in the interests of national security, transparency, and financial accountability," it pointed out.
But it cautioned that the "proposed amendments" threaten to curtail the ability of churches and Christian institutions to continue ministries that have significantly complemented the developmental efforts of both the State and Central Governments.
"Our concerns are particularly serious because the proposed Bill may:
... further restrict the ability of churches and charitable institutions to receive and utilize legitimate foreign contributions for humanitarian, educational, healthcare, and community development initiatives.
The new law will also "Impose additional regulatory burdens that disproportionately affect smaller churches and grassroots ministries".
The NBCC further stated that the new law could also "discourage philanthropic support that has historically strengthened India's social development without imposing any burden on the public exchequer".
But there are other issues at stake too; often observers say the much publicised Christian values have failed on one front in Nagaland—the all pervading corruption.
Elections in Nagaland have become not the backdoor but the front door of all pervading corruption in the state and often the church is alleged to have failed to stem out the rot.
One prominent Naga church leader told this blogger in 2022 that Christian values are forgotten the moment people "go out of Churches”.
While the NBCC has spoken about the possibilities of new law could even "disrupt long-standing partnerships between Indian churches and their global Christian counterparts"; there is another view which argues that much needs to be done at the regulatory level also.
At the national level, the Congress party has strongly opposed the Bill. LoP, Rahul Gandhi said that under the proposed system -- "Only one organisation can get money from abroad, it is the RSS....
No other organisation can now get money from abroad except the RSS".
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment