DIMAPUR, JUL 10 (NPN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has appealed to chief minister Neiphiu Rio to intervene with the Government of India for withdrawal of the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, warning that the proposed legislation could have serious and far-reaching implications for churches, Christian institutions, charitable organisations and civil society engaged in humanitarian and developmental work.
In a representation submitted to the chief minister on behalf of its 21 Baptist Associations, four associate members, 1,626 congregations and 7,48,532 baptised members across Nagaland, the council said churches in the state had, for well over a century, remained partners in the holistic development of the people through education, healthcare, peacebuilding, disaster relief, youth empowerment, women’s development, de-addiction ministries and care for the poor and marginalised.
NBCC stated that foreign contributions received through lawful and transparent means had enabled Christian organisations to sustain these ministries, particularly in remote and economically disadvantaged regions where resources were scarce. It maintained that such contributions were expressions of Christian fellowship, compassion and partnership in serving humanity and had always been subject to statutory regulation, financial scrutiny and public accountability.
While affirming the sovereign authority of the Government of India to regulate foreign contributions in the interests of national security, transparency and financial accountability, the council expressed concern that the proposed amendments appeared to go beyond reasonable regulation and impose excessive restrictions on genuine charitable and faith-based organisations whose primary mission was public service.
According to NBCC, the proposed amendments could further restrict the ability of churches and charitable institutions to receive and utilise legitimate foreign contributions for humanitarian, educational, healthcare and community development initiatives.
It also said the Bill could impose additional regulatory burdens on smaller churches and grassroots ministries, disrupt long-standing partnerships between Indian churches and their global Christian counterparts, undermine programmes serving children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly and economically weaker communities, discourage philanthropic support and create the possibility of takeover and confiscation of institutional assets if FCRA registrations were cancelled through executive action.
Taking note of the Kerala Legislative Assembly passing a resolution urging the Union government to repeal the proposed amendments, the NBCC urged the Nagaland government to take a similar stand. The council said churches were not merely religious institutions but foundational social institutions that had shaped the educational, moral, cultural and humanitarian landscape of Nagaland. It said the contribution of the Church to literacy, health, reconciliation, community welfare and social transformation was inseparable from the history and identity of the state.
Citing Articles 19(1)(c), 25, 26, 29 and 30 of the Constitution, NBCC said any regulation affecting religious organisations must remain proportionate, fair and consistent with the principles of justice, equality and democratic participation.
It further urged the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to examine the proposed amendments in the light of Article 371A and assess whether they had the practical effect of interfering with the protected religious and social institutions of the Nagas.
The council appealed to the chief minister to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister as a matter of urgent public importance, strongly urge withdrawal of the proposed Bill, advocate a broad-based consultative process involving state governments, churches, faith-based organisations, civil society institutions and development agencies before any amendments were introduced, impress upon the Centre the historical contribution of churches and Christian organisations in Nagaland, and support a regulatory framework that ensured transparency and accountability without unnecessarily restricting the constitutional freedoms and humanitarian ministries of genuine charitable organisations.
The representation was signed by NBCC president Rev. Achu Chang, general secretary Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener and secretary (Social Concern) Dr. Villo Naleo and 34 other members.
Saturday, July 11, 2026