Aizawl: Major church denominations in Mizoram came together on August 11 for a public protest against the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The protest saw hundreds of participants marching through the streets of Aizawl.
Organised by the Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM), the protest brought together nine major church denominations along with members of civil society, NGOs and the public. The rally began at around 10.30 am, with participants marching from different parts of the city before gathering at Vanapa Hall.
The protest combined prayers, hymns and public speeches and was described by organisers as the first protest of its kind organised jointly by the major churches in the state.
The CCM and other groups have opposed proposed changes to the FCRA, particularly provisions they say could allow the government to take control of properties and other assets acquired through foreign contributions if an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed.
Church leaders and civil society representatives said the proposed changes could affect institutions involved in education, healthcare, social work and other community-based activities that receive foreign contributions.
Speaking to the media, church leader Dr K Lallawmzuala said the proposed amendments could affect the constitutional rights of religious minorities.
“This new FCRA amendment bill is a bit draconian for minority and smaller religious groups. This law is violating the right to freedom of religion. We have the right to propagate our religion as given by our Constitution.”
Asked about the next course of action if the bill is not withdrawn, Lallawmzuala said the churches would continue to raise their voice despite having limited influence over the decision-making process.
“We have to raise our voice. This is the time to raise our voice because this is going to really affect all minority people and especially the Christian communities,” the church leader added.
Lallawmzuala said the CCM had already submitted a memorandum to the Centre and that the state government and political parties had expressed support for the churches’ position.
“The Chief Minister and all the other political parties are actually supporting us. They have expressed their support through their actions and press releases. I think we are all one on this particular issue,” he said.
Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, Congress vice-president and former chief secretary of Mizoram, also opposed the proposed amendments, saying the bill would create difficulties for minority organisations.
“The FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 is not good. It is intended at creating problems for minority communities, particularly Christian organisations, because of the many arbitrary and undemocratic provisions contained in the bill.”
Chuaungo said foreign contributions had played an important role in supporting charitable and community-based work in Mizoram.
“Mizoram may not be getting a very huge amount of foreign contribution. However, being a small state with a small population and mostly Christian population, we benefit tremendously from foreign contributions for charity work and community-based development programmes,” the former bureaucrat said while adding that the impact would extend beyond churches because many institutions supported by foreign contributions provide services to underprivileged communities.
Chuaungo also alleged that the proposed legislation could disproportionately affect Christian organisations and said the Congress in Mizoram was opposed to the bill in its present form.
“The stand of the party is that the bill, as it is, has to be withdrawn completely,” he said.
The proposed FCRA amendments have become a major point of concern among churches and civil society organisations in Mizoram, particularly over the possible impact on properties and institutions established with foreign contributions.
Assistant professor at Mizoram Christian College, Dr Vanlalpari, said the protest was also aimed at creating awareness about the proposed changes and their possible impact on constitutional rights.
“I strongly believe that this is going to bring more awareness on how to protect our fundamental rights, especially the right to freedom of religion. This protest is going to educate the masses, especially the youth, because many of us hardly pay attention to what is going on behind our governments and their motives,” Dr Vanterpali stated.
She said institutions such as hospitals and educational establishments could be affected if properties acquired through foreign contributions become subject to government control under the proposed amendments.
“It will have a huge impact on us because, over the years, we have received funding from foreign countries, especially churches and various establishments. If this bill is passed as it is, taking back properties that were funded through foreign contributions is going to have a huge impact, especially on hospitals and educational institutions,” she added.
The CCM had called on its member churches, other Christian denominations, NGOs and members of the public to participate in the protest.
The rally also marked a rare occasion when major church denominations in Mizoram came together for a common public demonstration. The CCM serves as an umbrella body for different churches in the state and takes up issues of common concern.
The proposed FCRA amendments have become a major point of concern among churches and civil society organisations in Mizoram, particularly over the possible impact on properties and institutions established with foreign contributions.The proposed FCRA amendments have become a major point of concern among churches and civil society organisations in Mizoram, particularly over the possible impact on properties and institutions established with foreign contributions.
The Centre has referred the proposed bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for examination.
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