FCRA amendment: Concerns among minorities and religious institutions, CM urges Centre to step back

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over the new amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). He pointed out that the changes are creating widespread anxiety among minority communities and religious institutions across the country. In the letter, the Chief Minister urged the central government to reconsider and withdraw from moving forward with these amendments.

According to the new provision, if an organisation’s application for renewal of permission to receive foreign funds is rejected, or if the renewal is not granted within the specified time, its registration certificate will be considered cancelled. The Chief Minister warned that this could lead to serious consequences, as the foreign funds and assets of such institutions may be taken over by an authority designated by the central government.

He also stated that the existing law is sufficient to address any actions that go against the public interest. Introducing stricter provisions at a time when places of worship are facing attacks is a matter of serious concern, he added in the letter.