India, April 1 -- The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has written to Home Minister Amit Shah flagging "serious concerns" over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), urging wider consultation and safeguards against "excessive State control over civil society".

In identical communications to Shah and Members of Parliament (MPs) dated March 31, the CBCI said the FCRA Bill, 2026, while aimed at strengthening oversight, could upset the "constitutional balance, civil society freedom and the future of charitable service in India".

The bishops' body raised particular concern over provisions that would allow foreign contributions and assets created out of such funds to vest in a designated autho...