Oswald Cardinal Gracias Urges Amit Shah to Send FCRA Bill to Parliamentary Panel
Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging the central government not to rush the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Writing from Mumbai, the Cardinal requested that the legislation be referred to a Parliamentary sub-committee for detailed scrutiny and wider consultations before Parliament takes up the Bill.
In his letter to Shah, Cardinal Gracias stated that the views of organisations and individuals engaged in charitable and humanitarian work must be taken into account. He urged for broader discussions, including consultations with the Christian community, before Parliament considers the legislation.
The Cardinal explained that official commitments in Mumbai prevented him from attending a recent meeting held in New Delhi between delegations from the Christian community and the Union Home Minister. Consequently, he decided to communicate his concerns directly to Shah in writing.
Cardinal Gracias highlighted growing apprehension among grassroots workers, noting that he had spoken with several priests and nuns involved in welfare activities assisting the sick, destitute, and underprivileged. He stated that those working on the ground fear the proposed amendments could adversely affect their humanitarian work.
While expressing reservations about the proposed changes, Cardinal Gracias clarified that the Church is not opposed to the regulation of foreign contributions. He acknowledged that there should be proper control over money arriving from abroad, but cautioned that the real-world impact of any legislation depends largely on how authorities interpret and apply it on the ground.
The FCRA Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in March 2025, but discussions on the proposed law have not yet commenced. Christian organisations have voiced opposition to several of the proposed changes, citing potential negative impacts on charitable and social-service operations funded through foreign contributions. Meanwhile, the government is understood to be proceeding cautiously with the legislation amid opposition from political parties including the DMK and NCP (SP).
