Proposed new regulations in India that could impact foreign donations to charities have been described as ‘draconian’ by a leading Indian Christian.
Archbishop Joseph D’Souza, who leads the All India Christian Council, was speaking to Kenneth Harrod on the Release International Voice podcast.
The Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FRCA) monitors money coming from outside India to charities and NGOs. Licences to be able to receive such money now have to be renewed every five years. Thousands of organisations – the majority being Christian – have had licences blocked in recent years.
Even in its present form, the FCRA has been criticised for being used to censor organisations and work in India that is opposed by the Hindu nationalist movement.
Now, a proposed amendment would give this authority power to seize all the assets of an organisation whose licence has not been renewed. The amendment is due to be discussed in the Indian parliament this summer.
To listen to Archbishop Joseph speak about the seriousness of this issue, click the button, below, to go to our podcast page.