Kohima: Thousands of Christians gathered at Khouchiezie (Kohima Local Ground) on Saturday to protest against proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), with church leaders expressing concern over provisions they said could adversely affect Christian institutions and charitable organisations.
The rally was organised by the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF), which said the protest was aimed at defending constitutional rights, religious freedom and equality.
Addressing the media after the mass rally, NJCF rally organising committee convenor Rev Dr Vevo Phesao, Convenor, Organising Committee, said more than 3,000 programme sheets had been distributed for the event and estimated the turnout at 5,000 people.
“We want to convey to India and the rest of the world that we are no less patriotic and we will continue to pray and wish for the peace and prosperity of our country, India,” Phesao said.
He appealed to political leaders to ensure that laws and amendments serve all citizens irrespective of religion, faith or community.
“We want to live as equals and live together in peaceful coexistence, free from manipulation and also free from encroaching on each other’s constitutional rights and religious beliefs,” he said.
Phesao said the Christian community was not opposed to regulation, transparency or accountability in the use of foreign contributions.
“Our appeal and prayer is that whatever acts they want to amend in Parliament should be for the well-being of all people irrespective of religion, faith and people group,” he said.
According to Phesao, the churches in Nagaland do not receive foreign contributions, but institutions such as colleges, universities and charitable organisations have their own sources of funding.
The NJCF has raised concerns over provisions relating to FCRA registration and renewal, submission of audit reports and the possible impact of provisions concerning properties and land.
Phesao acknowledged that the proposed amendments had not yet become law, but said their wording had raised apprehensions among church leaders.
“We have seen the registration renewal and also, annexation of properties, land and also when it comes to submitting audit reports. There are some nitty-gritty that are very dangerous and very difficult at this point of time to really be explicit about the Act because it is not yet passed,” he said.
He said the NJCF would continue to raise its concerns through peaceful means if they were not addressed.
“We are peace-loving people and so we will not get involved in violence,” Phesao said.
Leaders of the forum submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the Governor of Nagaland, the copy which was received by the Commissioner & Secretary in the governor’s absentia.
The forum’s memorandum urged the Centre to ensure that the FCRA is implemented impartially and that organisations found violating the law are held accountable regardless of religious affiliation.
The NJCF said it was not seeking dilution of the FCRA and maintained that organisations misusing foreign contributions or diverting funds from their stated purposes should face appropriate action.
However, it alleged that Christian institutions were facing disproportionate scrutiny and called for uniform enforcement of the law across organisations.
The memorandum also urged the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the proposed amendments to consult stakeholders at the grassroots level, including beneficiaries of charitable institutions, and to hold consultations in remote areas.
The forum also reiterated its opposition to compulsory singing of Vande Mataram, particularly over portions of the song that it said conflict with Christian beliefs.
The NJCF cited Articles 25 and 28(3) of the Constitution and referred to the Supreme Court’s 1986 judgment in Bijoe Emmanuel v State of Kerala, arguing that individuals should not be compelled to participate in activities that conflict with their religious conscience.
The forum proposed that those with genuine religious objections be allowed to remain silent during the recitation while maintaining respect for the occasion.
The memorandum said the community’s position should not be interpreted as opposition to India or the Constitution.
“Fight with truth and not violence,” was the message reiterated by church leaders during the gathering.
“Church is not the enemy of the state,” one of the speakers said, while highlighting what he described as the Church’s historical role in the development of modern Nagaland.
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The NJCF memorandum also raised concerns over the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), calling for their repeal.
Later, NJCF leaders submitted the memorandum to the office of the Nagaland Governor, addressed to the President of India.
The forum called for constitutional neutrality, equal treatment of religious and charitable organisations, and protection of fundamental rights while maintaining accountability in the use of foreign contributions.
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