NPCC accuses Centre of ‘weaponising’ FCRA against Christian institutions

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of attempting to “weaponise” the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) against Christian institutions, churches, NGOs and civil society organisations.

In a statement issued on Monday, the NPCC said Christian organisations in Nagaland and across the country had for decades contributed to education, healthcare, social welfare and humanitarian services, including through schools, hospitals, orphanages, rehabilitation centres and programmes for vulnerable communities.

While maintaining that it supported transparency and accountability in regulation of foreign contributions, the party argued that selective scrutiny, arbitrary restrictions and administrative action against legitimate organisations should not be presented as regulation.

The NPCC contended that governments could not determine which religious communities or institutions should be treated with suspicion, adding that constitutional guarantees must apply equally regardless of the government in power.

Referring specifically to Nagaland, the Congress said Christian institutions had played a longstanding role in education, healthcare and social welfare in the state. It warned that action against legitimate institutions could have consequences for poor and vulnerable people who depend on the services provided by such organisations.

The NPCC urged the Centre to distinguish between genuine violations of law and legitimate charitable and humanitarian activities. “Regulate wrongdoing—but do not criminalise service,” the party said, while calling for accountability without discrimination.