Thousands participate in Aizawl rally to protest FCRA bill, demand its repeal

Thousands of people belonging to various Christian denominations staged a rally in Mizoram's capital Aizawl on Tuesday to protest the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill.

The event was organised by the newly formed Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM), a conglomerate of nine major churches, including the Presbyterian Church of India and Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM).

The protest march was held in two directions - one from Zarkawt and another from Sikulpuikawn and participants converged outside Vanapa Hall for a public programme.

During the rally, protesters chanted slogans such as "We oppose the passage of the FCRA amendment bill in its present form," "We object to the forceful seizure of our assets".

They also held mass prayers seeking divine intervention in the matter.

Addressing the crowd, CCM president Rev Dr R Lalbiakliana claimed that the proposed FCRA Bill will adversely affect religious minorities, churches and NGOs and could undermine constitutional safeguards.

He urged the Centre and the concerned authorities to reconsider the Bill and refrain from passing it in its present form.

Lalbiakliana alleged that the Bill contains provisions that could empower authorities to seize and sell the assets and properties of churches and NGOs whose FCRA registrations are cancelled or not renewed.

He particularly objected to provisions under Chapter 3A of the proposed Bill relating to a designated authority, claiming that it could exercise sweeping powers over land, buildings, funds and other assets of organisations without prior court permission or judicial oversight.

The church leader said that the proposed law was also objectionable because of its alleged retrospective effect, arguing that assets acquired and activities undertaken several years ago could potentially come under its purview..

Schools, hospitals, buildings, vehicles and ambulances acquired or constructed using foreign contributions or local funds could be vulnerable to confiscation, he claimed.

While acknowledging that foreign contributions should not be used for religious conversion, Lalbiakliana further alleged that the proposed law could be misused to target legitimate charitable activities undertaken by churches and NGOs in the fields of education, healthcare, relief and social welfare.

Pointing out Article 300A of the Constitution, which provides that no person shall be deprived of property except by authority of law, he alleged that the proposed amendments could undermine constitutional protections relating to property rights.

Lalbiakliana also claimed that Christians, despite accounting for only around 12 per cent of FCRA-registered organisations, handle a substantial share of foreign contributions and therefore could be disproportionately affected by the proposed changes.

He also urged elected representatives of the country to protect the constitutional principles of justice, liberty, equality and secularism.

Some legislators, including Leader of Opposition in Mizoram Assembly Lalchhandama Ralte, and several elderly people also took part in the protest rally.

"I strongly oppose the Bill, which I believe is aimed at curbing and restricting Christians. I joined the rally to voice my opposition to the proposed legislation," 82-year-old Lalchhuanawmi told PTI.

Earlier, Chief Minister Lalduhoma had said that the Mizoram government and churches had urged the Centre to refer the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to facilitate a wider consultation before the legislation is finalised.

Lalduhoma, along with leaders of two apex church bodies – the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC) and the CCM, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently and placed Mizoram's concerns and suggestions regarding certain provisions of the proposed legislation and also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Ministry.

The contentious FCRA Amendment Bill will be taken up for discussion and passage in Parliament on August 12, but it will not come into effect retrospectively, Lalduhoma had also said on August 6 in New Delhi after meeting Shah.

Mizoram Congress has urged the state government to convene a special session of the state assembly to adopt a resolution opposing the Bill.