Hundreds of Christians from various denominations participated in a rally in Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), to protest the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

The newly formed Council of Churches in Mizoram, a conglomerate of nine major churches, organised the rally to demand that the amendment Bill be scrapped, with council president R. Lalbiakliana warning that the Bill would adversely affect religious minorities, churches, and NGOs, and could undermine constitutional safeguards.

Mizoram is one of only three States where Christians form the majority of the population.

Worried about asset seizure

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lalbiakliana said the Centre should reconsider the proposed legislation and refrain from passing it in its present form. He alleged that provisions in the Bill could empower authorities to seize and sell the assets and properties of churches and NGOs whose FCRA registrations are cancelled or not renewed.

He said Chapter 3A of the proposed legislation was of particular concern. The chapter, he claimed, would give a designated authority sweeping powers over the land, buildings, funds, and other assets of organisations, without prior court permission or judicial oversight.

‘Refer Bill to JPC’

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had earlier said that the State government and churches had urged the Centre to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider consultation before finalising the legislation.

The Chief Minister, along with Mizoram’s church leaders, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah a few days ago and submitted a memorandum outlining the State’s concerns and suggestions regarding provisions of the proposed legislation.

On Monday, his counterpart in Nagaland, also a Christian-majority State, wrote to Mr Shah, seeking greater parliamentary scrutiny and wider stakeholder consultation, including the consideration of a JPC for comprehensive examination of the proposed legislation.

Published - August 11, 2026 09:08 pm IST