The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday, August 10, staged a peaceful protest march in Shillong against the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), expressing concern over their possible impact on churches, educational institutions, NGOs and other organisations receiving foreign funds.
Congress workers carrying party flags and placards participated in the march and raised objections to the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, which the party said could have significant implications for institutions dependent on overseas contributions.
Addressing the protesters, senior Congress leader Vincent H Pala claimed that the BJP had issued a whip and was likely to introduce the Bill in Parliament before the House goes into recess on August 13.
“The BJP has issued a whip and they are likely to bring the Bill either today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow,” Pala said.
Pala described the proposed legislation as “one of the most dangerous bills in history”, alleging that some of its provisions could adversely affect churches, schools, NGOs and other institutions receiving foreign contributions. He said the demonstration was intended to highlight what the party considers a serious threat to organisations that have historically relied on overseas funding.
The Congress leader clarified that the protest was not against the Centre or the country. “We are not against the Government of India, we are not against India. We are here to work together,” he said, arguing that India’s strength depends on different communities and institutions working together.
Pala also raised specific objections to Clause 16A of the proposed legislation. He alleged that organisations could face attachment of their properties if their FCRA registration was not renewed, cancelled or voluntarily surrendered.
“This is a Bill where if you cannot renew the FCRA, or if they cancel your FCRA, or if you surrender the FCRA, they will take your property,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the provision could potentially affect an entire property even if only a small portion of its funding had come from foreign contributions. According to Pala, this could have implications for churches, schools and other institutions that have received overseas financial support.
Pala acknowledged that the FCRA has been in force for decades and said the Congress did not oppose regulations aimed at preventing the misuse of foreign contributions. However, he argued that the proposed amendments could extend beyond regulating foreign funding and create difficulties for institutions dependent on such contributions.
The protest march passed through parts of Shillong as Congress workers raised slogans and displayed placards opposing the proposed amendments. The Meghalaya Congress said the demonstration was aimed at creating public awareness and providing a democratic platform to voice concerns ahead of the Bill’s expected consideration in Parliament.
The protest comes amid efforts by the Centre to advance the proposed FCRA amendments before Parliament goes into recess on August 13.
