FCRA Amendment Unconstitutional and Anti-Secular, Says Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath

Thrissur: The President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) and Archbishop of the Thrissur Archdiocese, Mar Andrews Thazhath, has come out strongly against the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) amendment introduced by the central government. Speaking to media persons in Thrissur, he declared that the new amendment is contrary to the Constitution, to the principle of secularism, and to the fundamental rights of citizens.

He expressed grave concern over what he described as a systematic attempt to seize the assets of NGOs and minority institutions under the guise of licence renewal, calling it a brazen encroachment on constitutional freedoms. The government's move to arrogate to itself the power to confiscate properties is anti-democratic and cannot be justified in a constitutional republic, he said.

Mar Thazhath also took strong exception to the scheduling of training programs for election officials during Holy Week, calling it deeply objectionable and disrespectful to the sentiments of the Christian faithful. He demanded that the authorities rectify such insensitive decisions that show a blatant disregard for the Christian community.

He made clear that the Church's firm position is that the central government must uphold and protect the fundamental rights of minorities, and that the controversial provisions of the FCRA amendment must be withdrawn without delay.