By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, July 12, 2026: A high-level delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), led by Cardinal Poola Anthony, met federal Home Minister Amit Shah to submit a detailed memorandum on issues affecting the Christian community.
The bishops raised concerns over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, the denial of Scheduled Caste status to minorities of SC origin, and the continuing humanitarian crisis in Manipur.
The memorandum, signed by CBCI president Cardinal Poola and CBCI Secretary General Archbishop Anil Couto, stressed that recent legislative and administrative developments “run contrary to the secular fabric of the nation and the constitutional values that gives equal treatment of all communities.”
The bishops urged the government to withdraw the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill, warning that they would “adversely affect the organisations that are registered” and harm institutions serving millions of poor and vulnerable citizens.
The legislation, expected to be debated in Parliament’s Monsoon Session (June 21-August 21), has raised concerns about its impact on charitable, educational, healthcare, and social ministries run by Christian institutions.
‘Grave injustice’ and ‘fear and insecurity’
The CBCI highlighted that various state-level Freedom of Religion Acts, often referred to as anti-conversion laws, have led to “noticeable increase in allegations, intimidation, and acts of hostility directed against Christians.”
The memorandum noted that these laws, along with the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950, which denies SC status to minorities of SC origin, are under challenge before the Supreme Court.
The bishops said the prolonged pendency of these cases has caused “grave injustice” and “fear and insecurity among minority communities.” They appealed for expeditious hearings to protect fundamental rights, dignity, and equality. “We therefore earnestly request that appropriate steps be taken to facilitate expeditious hearing and final adjudication,” the memorandum stated.
‘Humanitarian crisis in Manipur’
The delegation also drew attention to the “continuing humanitarian crisis in Manipur,” where thousands of families have lost access to agricultural lands, children have suffered “enormous educational disruption,” and large numbers have migrated to other states in search of safety and livelihood.
The bishops described the trauma endured by displaced families as having “profound psychological, emotional and spiritual consequences.”
“We most respectfully and earnestly appeal for the immediate intervention of the Government of India… to restore lasting peace, harmony, and normalcy in the State of Manipur,” the memorandum urged.
The CBCI reaffirmed its commitment to nation-building, stating that its institutions have “partnered with successive Governments in serving millions of Indians, particularly the poor, the marginalised and those living in remote regions.”
Cardinal Poola concluded by pledging cooperation with the government in all efforts to promote peace, reconciliation, and humanitarian relief. “The Catholic Church in India remains firmly committed to the unity, integrity and constitutional values of our nation,” he added.
The Telegraph Calcutta of 11 July 2026 has published a report on the said meeting of CBCI delegates led by Cardinal Poola Anthony with Union Home Minister Mr Amit Shah. The other CBCI delegates were Archbishop Anil Couto (Secretary-general), Deputy Secretary-general Rev. Dr. Mathew Koyickal and others. The report link is: https://epaper.telegraphindia.com/calcutta-edition/29/2026-07-11/page-4/article-2127168871.html
Rev. Koyickal reported that the Union Home Minister assured the CBCI delegates that the amended FCRA law would not be applied with retrospective effect. This clearly means the law would be amended and there is no question of any roll-back despite agitations by the Congress Party lobby and reservations expressed by the Catholic Church. Mr Amit Shah told them that Christians get hardly thirty per cent of the total FCRA funds that come to India and therefore the CBCI need not worry. Rev. Koyickal also said that the Home Minister said that if there are any issues, CBCI can write to him or meet him. “I am the Home Minister. I will take care of you,” Mr Shah assured them. The question is what is the worry then?
CBCI requested the Home Minister that the ‘Designated Authority’ as mentioned in the proposed amendment, should be a Judicial Officer under the supervision of a high court. This means CBCI has willy-nilly accepted the ‘Designated Authority’ – something it had serious reservations against. The proposed FCRA Amendment Bill introduces a “Designated Authority” (FDA) to take over, manage, and dispose of foreign funds and assets of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) when their FCRA registration is suspended, cancelled, surrendered, or expires without renewal.
Asset Vesting: All foreign contributions and assets created using them (e.g. land, buildings, equipment) provisionally vest with the Designated Authority. If the organization fails to restore its registration, this vesting becomes permanent. If permanent vesting occurs, the Authority can transfer the assets to central, state, or local government agencies or dispose of them through a sale, with the proceeds deposited into the Consolidated Fund of India.
The Designated Authority which enjoys powers of a Civil Court, can summon the concerned NGO’s officials and compel the deposition of evidence to secure compliance, can take over properties built or acquired partly from foreign contributions and partly from other sources, However, the affected NGO/original organization can claim the value of the portion (assets) created from domestic funds.
Neither the above report nor the Telegraph Calcutta has mentioned CBCI’s strong reservation against this clause and the one on geographical limitation (mention of specific states or union territories where an NGO would like to operate).
The CBCI’s reaffirmation to the Home Minister of its commitment to nation-building is laudable.