Aizawl: Thousands of people belonging to various Christian denominations staged a massive rally in Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, on Tuesday to protest the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill amid concerns over its provisions.
The event was organised by the newly formed Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM), a conglomerate of nine major churches, including the Presbyterian Church of India and Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM).
The protest march was held in two directions, one from Zarkawt and another from Sikulpuikawn, and participants converged outside Vanapa Hall for a public programme.
During the rally, protesters chanted slogans such as “We oppose the passage of the FCRA Amendment Bill in its present form” and “We object to the forceful seizure of our assets.”
They also held mass prayers seeking divine intervention in the matter.
Addressing the crowd, CCM president Rev. R. Lalbiakliana said the proposed FCRA Bill will adversely affect religious minorities, churches and NGOs and could undermine constitutional safeguards.
He urged the Centre and the concerned authorities to reconsider the Bill and refrain from passing it in its present form.
Lalbiakliana alleged that the Bill contains provisions that could empower authorities to seize and sell the assets and properties of churches and NGOs whose FCRA registrations are cancelled or not renewed.
He particularly objected to provisions under Chapter 3A of the proposed Bill relating to a designated authority, claiming that it could exercise sweeping powers over land, buildings, funds and other assets of organisations without prior court permission or judicial oversight.
The church leader said the proposed law was also objectionable because of its alleged retrospective effect, arguing that assets acquired and activities undertaken several years ago could potentially come under its purview.
Schools, hospitals, buildings, vehicles and ambulances acquired or constructed using foreign contributions or local funds could be vulnerable to confiscation, he claimed.
While acknowledging that foreign contributions should not be used for religious conversion, Lalbiakliana further alleged that the proposed law could be misused to target legitimate charitable activities undertaken by churches and NGOs in the fields of education, healthcare, relief and social welfare.
Pointing to Article 300A of the Constitution, which provides that no person shall be deprived of property except by authority of law, he alleged that the proposed amendments could undermine constitutional protections relating to property rights.
Lalbiakliana also claimed that Christians, despite accounting for only around 12 per cent of FCRA-registered organisations, handle a substantial share of foreign contributions and therefore could be disproportionately affected by the proposed changes.
He also urged elected representatives of the country to protect the constitutional principles of justice, liberty, equality and secularism.
Some legislators, including Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Lalchhandama Ralte, and several elderly people also took part in the protest rally.
The proposed amendments have become a politically sensitive issue in Mizoram, with church bodies, political parties and civil society groups voicing concerns over their potential impact on religious institutions and NGOs.
The CCM had earlier expressed particular concern over provisions in the proposed amendment that would allow authorities to confiscate properties, land and other assets acquired through foreign funding if an organisation’s FCRA licence is cancelled, describing the measure as a major escalation from the current law.
The apex church body also objected to the proposal to establish a Designated Authority, which it said would have sweeping powers to seize and dispose of the assets of churches and NGOs without prior court approval or judicial oversight.
Such provisions, it argued, undermine due legal process and pose a serious threat to civil society organisations.
According to the CCM, 19 organisations in Mizoram currently hold FCRA licences, with only the Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Church holding licences among churches in the state.
It further claimed that although Christian organisations account for only around 12 per cent of FCRA licence holders nationwide, they receive between 55 and 60 per cent of the total foreign contributions regulated under the Act.
Earlier, Chief Minister Lalduhoma had said that the Mizoram government and churches had urged the Centre to refer the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to facilitate wider consultation before the legislation is finalised.
Lalduhoma, along with leaders of two apex church bodies, the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC) and the CCM, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently and raised Mizoram’s concerns and suggestions regarding certain provisions of the proposed legislation. They also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Ministry.
The contentious FCRA Amendment Bill will be taken up for discussion and passage in Parliament on August 12, but it will not come into effect retrospectively, Lalduhoma had also said on August 6 in New Delhi after meeting Shah.
Mizoram Congress has urged the state government to convene a special session of the state Assembly to adopt a resolution opposing the Bill.