New Delhi/Kochi, June 25 (IANS) Opposition to the Centre’s recent amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) rules is gathering momentum, with the Congress and Christian church organisations stepping up separate political and legal challenges against the move.
Congress General Secretary and MP, K.C. Venugopal, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the immediate withdrawal of the amendment, alleging that the revised rules adversely affect the rights of minority communities and institutions.
He has argued that the changes could impose fresh hurdles on organisations dependent on foreign contributions and undermine their ability to function effectively.
The issue is also set to resonate in Parliament, with the INDIA Bloc expected to discuss a coordinated strategy to oppose the amendment during the forthcoming session.
Opposition parties contend that the new provisions could disproportionately impact minority-run educational, charitable and social-service institutions.
Even as criticism grows, the Union government has made it clear that it is not considering a rollback.
Government sources maintain that the amendment is not aimed at any particular community and is intended solely to strengthen transparency and accountability in the utilisation of foreign funds.
Adding a legal dimension to the controversy, ACTS, a collective platform of Christian churches, has decided to challenge the amendment in court.
A leadership meeting chaired by ACTS president Bishop Dr. Oommen George resolved to move the judiciary against the revised rules, arguing that they would seriously affect the functioning of voluntary organisations, community bodies and social movements that rely on foreign funding.
ACTS General Secretary George Sebastian said they have already started legal redress petitions before the appropriate courts.
The organisation has also announced June 28 as a protest day, with demonstrations and awareness programmes planned in churches and public venues across Kerala.
With legal action imminent and Opposition parties preparing to raise the issue in Parliament, the FCRA amendment is emerging as a fresh flashpoint in the debate over regulatory oversight, minority rights and the autonomy of civil society organisations.
–IANS
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