The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has strongly condemned what it described as any attempt by the BJP-led Central Government to “weaponise” the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) framework against Christian institutions, churches, NGOs and civil society organisations.
In a statement issued by its Communication Department, the NPCC said Christian organisations in Nagaland and across the country have for decades contributed significantly to education, healthcare and social welfare by running schools, hospitals, orphanages, rehabilitation centres and humanitarian programmes for the poor and marginalised.
The Congress said that if the government’s objective was to ensure transparency in the use of foreign contributions, the same standards should be applied uniformly to all organisations.
“If the BJP Government believes in transparency, let there be transparency for everyone,” the NPCC said, while alleging that selective scrutiny, arbitrary restrictions and administrative harassment should not be presented as “regulation”.
The NPCC invoked constitutional protections under Articles 14, 19 and 25, relating to equality, freedom of association and religious freedom, respectively.
It argued that the government cannot determine whose faith deserves freedom or which institutions should be viewed with suspicion, asserting that no government, irrespective of its parliamentary majority, stands above constitutional guarantees.
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Highlighting Nagaland’s history, the NPCC said Christian institutions have played a major role in the State’s development, particularly in education, healthcare and social welfare.
It warned that any action against legitimate institutions providing essential services could ultimately affect the poor, needy and vulnerable sections of society who depend on such services.
The NPCC cautioned the BJP-led government against turning the FCRA into what it termed an “ideological weapon” or treating Christian institutions as suspects solely because of their religious identity.
“Nagaland is watching. India is watching,” the party stated.
The Congress committee maintained that wrongdoing should be regulated and accountability ensured, but opposed what it described as discrimination against institutions based on their faith.
“Regulate wrongdoing—but do not criminalise service. Demand accountability—but do not practise discrimination,” the NPCC said.
