NPCC accuses Centre of targeting Christian institutions through FCRA

DIMAPUR, AUG 10 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Monday accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to “weaponise” the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) against Christian institutions, churches, NGOs and civil society organisations.
NPCC said Christian organisations in Nagaland and across India had contributed to education, healthcare and social welfare through schools, hospitals, orphanages, rehabilitation centres and humanitarian programmes for communities. It supported transparency and regulation but alleged selective scrutiny, arbitrary restrictions and administrative harassment could not be justified as regulatory measures.
Citing Articles 14, 19 and 25 of the Constitution, NPCC said these guaranteed equality, freedom of association and religious freedom. It warned that selective suspicion of institutions based on faith would violate constitutional principles.
NPCC said Nagaland had a long history of Christian institutions supporting education, healthcare and social welfare, and warned that targeting legitimate organisations would hurt poor and marginalised people dependent on their services.
It urged the Centre to ensure the FCRA was not used as an ideological or political tool and that Christian institutions were not discriminated against on religious grounds.
“Regulate wrongdoing– but do not criminalise service. Demand accountability– but do not practise discrimination,” NPCC said, adding that the “Constitution must prevail over the BJP’s politics.”