US Republican Raises Alarm Over FCRA Amendments, Cites Religious Freedom Concerns

A proposed amendment to India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has drawn criticism from a US lawmaker, who warned that the legislation could become a source of concern in India-US bilateral relations if enacted in its present form.

US Congressman Riley Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, alleged that the proposed changes could enable the Indian government to assume control of churches and religious charities whose FCRA registrations are cancelled, surrendered or lapse. In a post on X, Moore described the move as a "clear attack against Christians" and cautioned that it could affect ties between the two democracies.

Referring to Christianity’s long presence in India, Moore said Christians have lived in the country since the arrival of St Thomas the Apostle on the Malabar Coast. He argued that the proposed amendments raised serious concerns over the future management of religious institutions receiving foreign donations.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes the creation of a "Designated Authority" empowered to take over the management of foreign contributions and assets created using such funds when an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed.

The proposed legislation, however, also specifies that if the assets include a place of worship, the Designated Authority must ensure that its religious character is preserved while overseeing their management.

Besides introducing the new administrative mechanism, the Bill seeks to reduce the maximum punishment for violations of the Act from five years' imprisonment to one year, marking a significant change in the existing legal framework.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 13,520 organisations received Rs 55,741 crore in foreign contributions between 2019 and 2022. Data available on the FCRA portal shows that, as of July 15, 2026, 14,449 organisations held active FCRA registrations, while 22,498 certificates had been cancelled and 15,212 were classified as expired, reflecting the extensive reach of the law governing foreign funding in India.