'Clear Attack On Christians': US Lawmaker Warns India's FCRA Changes Could Affect Bilateral Ties

News world 'Clear Attack On Christians': US Lawmaker Warns India's FCRA Changes Could Affect Bilateral Ties

'Clear Attack On Christians': US Lawmaker Warns India's FCRA Changes Could Affect Bilateral Ties

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Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 03:09 IST

US Congressman Riley Moore said the proposed amendments could allow the Indian government to take over churches and religious charities.

US Congressman Riley Moore. (File photo: Getty Images via AFP)

A US lawmaker on Tuesday raised concerns over India’s proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), warning that the changes could affect bilateral ties between New Delhi and Washington.

US Congressman Riley Moore said the proposed amendments, which deal with foreign donations received by NGOs, trusts, educational institutions and religious organisations, could allow the Indian government to take over churches and religious charities.

Calling the move a “clear attack against Christians", Moore said it would become a “major concern" in India-US relations if passed in its current form.

“Christians have been in India since St Thomas the Apostle travelled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But despite this long Christian history, India’s Parliament is considering amending Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment (FCRA) rules to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities," Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, said in a post on X.

Christians have been in India since St. Thomas the Apostle traveled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.But despite this long Christian history, India’s Parliament is considering amending Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment… — Rep. Riley M. Moore (@RepRileyMoore) August 4, 2026

“This is a clear attack against Christians. If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India," he added.

What the proposed FCRA changes say?

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to allow the government to create a “Designated Authority" to manage foreign contributions and assets created using such funds if an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed.

The bill states that if such assets include places of worship, the authority must ensure that their religious character is maintained.

The proposed legislation also reduces the maximum punishment for violations under the Act from five years in prison to one year.

According to Ministry of Home Affairs, 13,520 organisations received Rs 55,741 crore in foreign contributions between 2019 and 2022. The FCRA portal shows that as of July 15, 2026, there were 14,449 active FCRA registrations, while 22,498 had been cancelled and 15,212 had expired.

The government is expected to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha next week.

(With inputs from PTI)

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First Published: August 05, 2026, 02:52 IST

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