Goa Catholic Groups Urge Kharge to Oppose FCRA Amendment Bill

PANAJI, August 18, 2026: Two Catholic organisations in Goa have urged Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in its present form or press for amendments to provisions they say could adversely affect minority institutions and civil society organisations.

The Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the Catholic Association of Goa (CAG) submitted a joint memorandum to Kharge on August 18, welcoming the Congress’ demand in Parliament for the Bill to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny.

The memorandum, signed by CSJP secretary Fr. Savio Fernandes and CAG president Cyril A. Fernandes, called for a transparent and inclusive JPC process involving stakeholder testimony, expert opinion and public consultation.

A key concern raised by the organisations is a provision relating to assets created wholly or partly through foreign contributions. They said the proposed legislation could empower the government to take over, manage or dispose of such assets if an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases following non-renewal.

The organisations said the provision could have implications for minority-run educational, healthcare and social-service institutions in Goa, many of which have operated for decades.

They also warned that organisations working with vulnerable communities could be affected, particularly those involved in education, healthcare, livelihood support, disaster relief, disability services, tribal welfare and child protection.

The memorandum further raised concerns about what the organisations described as the potential for selective action against civil society organisations and a “chilling effect” on groups working on issues such as human rights, environmental protection, labour rights, social justice and public accountability.

The two organisations linked their concerns to constitutional protections under Articles 25, 26, 29 and 30, covering religious freedom, freedom to manage religious affairs, cultural and educational rights and the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.

The memorandum said minority-run schools, colleges, technical institutes, hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages, old-age homes and charitable institutions have made a significant contribution to education, healthcare and social welfare in Goa.

It also referred to recent FCRA action involving two organisations affiliated with the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman—the Diocesan Society of Education and the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media. The organisations noted that the Bombay High Court had stayed the cancellation of their FCRA registrations.

The memorandum also cited concerns raised by local Congress legislators, who have described the proposed legislation as a potentially “draconian tool” and warned of the possible impact on the properties and assets of NGOs, minority institutions, charitable organisations and media bodies.

The CSJP and CAG urged Kharge and the Congress to continue opposing the Bill in both Houses of Parliament unless its contentious provisions are addressed. They called for the legislation either to be substantially amended or withdrawn.

They also urged the Congress leadership to ensure that concerns specific to Goa’s minority institutions are placed before the proposed JPC and considered as part of the parliamentary scrutiny of the Bill.

By Catholic Connect Reporter