Overview
- The FCRA Amendment Bill, introduced Wednesday, March 25, is still pending, and on Monday Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked the prime minister to drop the asset‑takeover clauses.
- The draft would create a central designated authority to manage foreign contributions and property when an organisation’s licence is cancelled, surrendered, suspended, or not renewed.
- It also deems a licence cancelled if renewal is rejected or not processed on time, shifting control of foreign‑funded assets to that authority, with places of worship kept to their religious character.
- Catholic and other Christian leaders, joined by Congress and CPI(M), say the plan threatens minority schools, hospitals, and charities, and some church leaders report frozen FCRA bank accounts.
- The government says the changes add transparency and curb misuse and forced conversions and promises assets can return to organisations after restoration, yet the fight has become a key campaign issue for the BJP in Kerala before the April 9 election.