Harish Rao serves legal notices on two Congress leaders

Attack on Christians: US lawmaker says India's FCRA bill could hit bilateral ties

A proposed amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) has come under criticism from US Congressman Riley Moore, who described it as "a clear attack against Christians" and warned it could become a bilateral issue between India and the United States. Calling the proposed amendments to the FCRA "a clear attack against Christians", he alleged that the legislation could allow the government to take control of churches and religious charities. His remarks come as the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 continues to trigger sharp debate during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. In a post on X, the US Congressman referred to the long history of Christianity in India before raising concerns over the proposed amendments. "Christians have been in India since St. Thomas the Apostle travelled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ," he said. He then criticised the Bill, saying: "But despite this long Christian history, India's Parliament is considering amending Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment (FCRA) rules to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities." "This is a clear attack against Christians. If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India," he added. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 , which governs how non-governmental organisations, charitable trusts, educational institutions, religious bodies and associations receive and use foreign donations. According to the background note accompanying the Bill, India had 14,449 active FCRA registrations as of July 15, 2026.