Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 30: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern that the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) have created apprehensions among minority communities and religious institutions.

In his letter, Vijayan urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the Centre’s position and withdraw the proposed amendment.

The proposed changes have triggered a political storm in Kerala, with both the CPI(M) and the Congress-led Opposition alleging that the Bill is an attack on minorities. The parties claimed that the Centre is attempting to gain sweeping control over NGOs and religious institutions through the amendments.

One of the key provisions states that if an NGO’s FCRA licence is cancelled or not renewed, the assets created using foreign funds will be transferred to a designated authority appointed by the Centre. Another provision allows the government to permanently take over such assets if the NGO’s registration is not restored. Even assets created through partial foreign contributions could be seized if the organisation loses its FCRA licence.

In Kerala, where several churches, educational institutions, and charitable hospitals receive foreign funding, the proposed amendments have raised concerns among religious bodies. Church groups fear that the government could arbitrarily take control of assets run by religious institutions.

In his letter, Vijayan pointed out that the existing FCRA provisions are sufficient to address any misuse of foreign funds. He warned that the amendment could lead to situations where even technical delays or lapses in licence renewal could result in temporary takeover of assets by the Centre.

He further noted that, in the backdrop of reported attacks on places of worship of religious minorities across the country, the concerns raised by these communities are both rational and serious.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal also criticised the proposed Bill, alleging that it is aimed at targeting religious minorities and charitable organisations. Addressing a press conference in Kottayam, he said the amendment acts like a “Damocles sword” over minorities and is intended to bring Christian communities under control.

The Centre, however, has defended the proposed amendments, stating that the provisions are intended to prevent misuse of foreign funds.