WASHINGTON, AUG 5 (AGENCIES): A US lawmaker has raised concern over New Delhi’s proposed amendments to Indian laws governing foreign donations received by NGOs, trusts, educational institutions, and religious organisations, threatening that the changes could affect bilateral relations. Republican Congressman from West Virginia, Riley Moore, has claimed the amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) would give power to the Indian government to take over churches and religious charities, a move he described as a “clear attack against Christians”.
“Christians have been in India since St Thomas the Apostle travelled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But despite this long Christian history, India’s Parliament is considering amending Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment (FCRA) rules to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities,” Moore, a member of President Donald Trump’s party, said in a post on X.
“This is a clear attack against Christians. If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India,” the first-term congressman added.
