Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Congress is preparing for a fresh showdown with the government over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, fearing that proposed changes could affect Christian-run educational, healthcare and welfare organisations across the country.
Amid speculation that the government could introduce the Bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session, the Congress has decided to mount strong opposition, with party leaders describing the proposed legislation as an “anti-Christian” move.
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The party has already issued a whip to its Lok Sabha MPs for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, signalling that it expects several “very important issues” to come up for discussion during the three days.
CONGRESS FEARS IMPACT ON CHRISTIAN NGOs
A section of Congress leaders believes changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) could particularly affect Christian-run schools, hospitals and other organisations working in rural, tribal and difficult-to-reach parts of the country.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal indicated that the party would oppose any attempt to bring the Bill during the current session.
“If the Central Government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves,” Venugopal told reporters in Alappuzha, Kerala.
Congress MP Hibi Eden, speaking to India Today, alleged that several Christian NGOs and organisations provide healthcare and education in some of the country’s most challenging and remote areas.
He accused the NDA government of trying to “suppress” their activities.
“The Bill says DM, SDM can take over assets if they find violations, that too retrospectively. Similarly, there are other loopholes and so in totality, it’s an attempt to suppress microscopic minority (Christians). We have already seen attacks on Churches, Nuns and Missionaries by BJP-RSS people,” Eden told India Today.
CONGRESS SEES WIDER POLITICAL BATTLE
According to sources, the Congress is looking at the FCRA issue as more than another confrontation between the Opposition and the government. The party sees it as an issue that could bring other Opposition parties together while also helping it reach out to minority voters.
A senior Opposition leader told India Today that while Christians are concentrated largely in Kerala and the Northeastern region, there are also sections of “crypto-Christians” in states including Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.
The Opposition believes the issue could help consolidate these voters against the BJP-led NDA, similar to what it claims happened during the recent Kerala Assembly elections, which coincided with Parliament’s Budget Session.
FCRA ISSUE HAD SURFACED DURING KERALA POLLS
The Congress had raised concerns over a possible FCRA amendment during the Budget Session as well and mounted a campaign against the proposed legislation.
The party not only opposed the Bill but also deployed senior Minority leaders in Kerala to campaign among the community. Congress leaders alleged that the proposed changes could adversely affect minority-run institutions and organisations.
The issue led to protests by Opposition parties in Parliament.
With the Kerala Assembly elections approaching, the government sought to counter the Congress campaign. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the Lok Sabha on April 1 that the government did not intend to introduce a Bill to amend the FCRA during the Budget Session.
Rijiju had accused the Opposition of misleading people in Kerala and across the country ahead of the Assembly elections.
However, the Congress believes the FCRA controversy had already reached minority voters before polling. The party subsequently returned to power in Kerala, where Christians account for roughly one-fifth of the population.
With the possibility of the Bill being brought during the Monsoon Session, the Congress is now preparing to revive its opposition to the proposed FCRA changes in Parliament.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
