SHILLONG : The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has alleged that the intention of the BJP, through the RSS, to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, is aimed at placing minority communities particularly churches and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across India in jeopardy.
Speaking to the media, Jonathan Syiem stated that the BJP’s objective is to systematically eliminate or directly target Christian institutions that provide public services across India.
“Throughout India, the best service institutions from Delhi down to our own state have rendered immense service to our children. However, to directly target them, the RSS and BJP are introducing this law to completely wipe out public service institutions in India,” Jonathan said.
Regarding the FCRA License Syiem stated, “Whether renewed or not, Christian public service institutions such as schools and hospitals no longer wish to renew their licenses because foreign funding has ceased, and they want to cancel them. However, they are not even allowed to cancel them.
“The implication of this bill is caught between a rock and a hard place. They cannot cancel the license because doing so would mean their assets and properties will be seized by the government. To protect their assets, they are forced to retain the license,” Syiem added. “This bill states that they must circulate funds amounting to ₹10 lakh every two years, which means they are required to receive funding from abroad to bring here and this is completely unacceptable,” said Syiem.
Banphira Basaiawmoit mentioned that under previous rules, if an NGO received foreign funding and faced issues under the earlier FCRA framework, the Government of India could temporarily take over the management of its institutions and return them once the documentation was regularized. However, under the current FCRA provisions, if an organization lacks a valid license or exhibits management issues, Assets Management will provide an opportunity to complete the paperwork, failing which the properties will be confiscated.
“Once these assets are seized, the government can sell them, and the proceeds will go into the Consolidated Fund of India, after which the funds will be redirected elsewhere. Therefore, as the Congress party, we demand that this be withdrawn,” Banphira stated.
Regarding properties created through joint funding for schools and medical centers, he noted that local residents and church members routinely contribute alongside foreign funds to construct these facilities. For instance, if a 10-room school building is constructed where 7 rooms were funded locally and 3 rooms through foreign aid if the FCRA license falls through, the government will seize the entire property without accounting for the local community’s contribution.
Manuel Badwar shared that according to their findings, there are as many as 20 NGOs or religious entities registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in East Khasi Hills alone.
These FCRA-registered organizations include Bethany Society, Gordon Roberts Hospital, St. Joseph’s Convent in Jaiaw, Don Bosco Technical School, the St. Edmund’s Province, among others, Badwar informed.
