Kerala Elections: Church Opposition to FCRA Bill Adds New Dimension to Campaign

Thiruvananthapuram: The Catholic Church in poll-bound Kerala has expressed deep concern over the Union government’s move to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), adding yet another layer to the campaign narrative.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) have seized on the issue to target the BJP, which is focusing on select seats—some of which have a significant Christian population capable of influencing the outcome.

The state’s two major fronts have alleged that the proposed FCRA amendment is essentially targeted at Christian NGOs and charitable institutions across the country that receive foreign funding.

BJP leaders, however, have rejected the charge, stating that the bill is aimed at ensuring financial discipline and accountability among organisations receiving foreign funds, without targeting any particular community.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed concern over the provisions of the proposed bill, stating that they could adversely affect the functioning of minority institutions and civil society organisations receiving foreign funding.

“The bill grants the central government sweeping powers to deny licence renewals and assume control over the institutions, funds, properties and assets of NGOs and minority organisations,” a CBCI statement said last week.

Other major church denominations have also raised concerns over the proposed legislation.

Defending the government and the party, Union Minister George Kurien, who is contesting the Assembly election from the Christian heartland of Kanjirappally, dismissed the allegations that the bill is aimed at controlling Christian institutions and church-run NGOs.

“The sole purpose of this amendment is to ensure accountability and transparency in receiving and utilising foreign funding. A vast majority of NGOs receiving foreign funds are Hindu organisations. Then how can it be said that this is targeted against Christian entities?” he said.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who has been spearheading the party’s Christian outreach initiative, said party leaders would engage with church authorities to clarify the intent of the bill.

The Congress has amplified the issue in its campaign, alleging duplicity in the BJP’s approach towards minorities.

AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal described the move as an attempt to impose strict control on minority institutions and a violation of constitutional rights.

The LDF has also used the issue to counter the BJP’s Christian outreach efforts.

Christian support is crucial for the BJP in several constituencies where the party is focusing its campaign.

However, the party’s outreach to the Christian community has faced repeated setbacks. Incidents involving attacks on Christian institutions and the arrest of two Keralite nuns in Chhattisgarh last year have impacted its efforts.

Despite these challenges, the BJP has continued its outreach and has fielded several Christian candidates in the current election.

Christians, belonging to multiple denominations, account for slightly over 18 per cent of Kerala’s population.

To the BJP’s discomfort, the FCRA debate has gained traction beyond the campaign trail, coinciding with the Holy Week leading up to Easter.

Reports indicate that during Palm Sunday services, bishops of the influential Syro-Malabar Church voiced serious concerns over the proposed amendment.