No need to worry about FCRA, says Kiren Rijiju; ‘Action only if national interest is compromised’

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday assured Christian churches and missionaries that the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) Amendment Bill is not a cause for concern.

Speaking to the media here, Rijiju said that the concerns of Christian churches in this regard would be addressed.

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He stated that the amendments have been introduced to prevent illegal foreign funding and to plug loopholes in the law. He emphasized that the law does not target any particular section or community, but applies equally to everyone.

The minister said that the Modi government will protect the interests of minority communities, especially Christian missionaries, and will provide them with the necessary support.

He accused the Congress and the CPM of misleading people regarding the amendment bill. The minister’s response comes against the backdrop of opposition to the FCRA amendment from various Christian churches and priests in Kerala, with elections approaching.

Rijiju said that the law is being amended solely to prevent funds from being used for illegal and anti-national activities.

“It is very sad to see the Congress and the Communists spreading lies and misleading poor people in Kerala. I assure you that innocent individuals and law-abiding organizations will not be wrongly targeted,” he said.

He added that foreign funds coming to India should be used for the welfare of the people. “If those funds are used for terrorist activities or to mislead the youth against the interests of India, they will be stopped,” he said.

The minister reiterated that the FCRA Bill will not affect minorities in any way and that there is no need for the Christian community to be afraid.

He said the government is ready to listen to any concerns, adding that only those with terrorist links, those acting illegally, or those working against the interests of the country need to fear the law.

He further said that the Congress and the CPM are panicking over the growing support for the NDA across Kerala.

To counter this, he alleged, both parties are resorting to old political tactics by spreading fear and misinformation among the people. Rijiju added that the electorate will reject such “pseudo-politics” in the elections.