Thiruvananthapuram, April 2 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is aiming to expand its footprint in Kerala in the upcoming assembly elections with the support of the 19% Christian population in the state alongside its core Hindu vote, is on the defensive in the wake of some Christian denominations opposing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) amendment bill moved by the Union government in the Lok Sabha. The bill, introduced by Union minister of state (home affairs) Nityanand Rai in the lower house of Parliament on March 25, has the stated aim of regulating inflow of foreign funds to NGOs to ensure these do not adversely affect "national interest, public order or national security". There are around 16,000 NGOs, receiving about Rs.22,000 crore annually. One of the provisions of the bill involves setting up of a "designated authority" which will manage the assets of an organisation if its FCRA certificate is cancelled or surrendered. In case of a place of worship, the designated authority can entrust the management or operation of the asset to a person in a manner in which the religious character of the place of worship is maintained. The bill has raised concerns among Christian groups and churches in Kerala that charitable organisations under them could see their assets being arbitrarily taken over by the government in case of lapses, even if only technical, in FCRA. "Through the amendment bill, an authoritarian framework and authority is being created. Even before the courts could intervene, the bill allows the government limitless power to seize the assets of an organisation receiving foreign funds. It could lead to misuse of power by central agencies and rights of citizens being violated," said Mar Baselios Cleemis, current head of the Syro-Malankara Church and president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference (KCBC). Archbishop Thomas Tharayil, head of the Changanachery diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church said, "The proposed changes could upend welfare initiatives in education and health sectors undertaken by the Church in rural areas in states like Kerala.." The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has termed the legislation "dangerous" and "alarming" in its implications and urged the Centre to reconsider it. The BJP's Kerala unit is grappling to contain the anger expressed by Church groups. BJP state vice-president and Pala Assembly candidate Shone George said, "The BJP is committed to protecting the interests of all minority communities. The Union home minister Amit Shah has assured that the state leadership that the government will move ahead with the bill only after clearing all concerns over it."...