FCRA debate rekindled as Orthodox Church questions new rules

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which emerged as a key political flashpoint in central Travancore during the recent Assembly elections, appears poised to take the centre stage once again.

The first salvo came on Thursday from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, which openly questioned some provisions in the proposed FCRA rules, particularly the requirement that FCRA account holders furnish details of their social media accounts and publications. The Church termed the move an infringement on fundamental rights and warned against what it sees as an attempt to widen regulatory scrutiny beyond financial transactions.

The Church also raised concerns over the manner in which the revised regulations were introduced, maintaining that stakeholders should have been consulted before the changes were proposed. It further expressed apprehension that the new provisions could be perceived as an indirect warning to organisations that are critical of governments.

“The requirement that FCRA account holders furnish details of their social media accounts and publications is questionable and amounts to an intrusion into fundamental rights. Financial transactions conducted through bank accounts are already subject to proper auditing and scrutiny. Any attempt to extend such scrutiny to the viewpoints and positions of organisations amounts to a challenge to the freedom of expression,” said Youhanon Diascoros Metropolitan, head of the Church’s media wing.

The Metropolitan pointed out that it was only natural to suspect whether the provisions were intended to indirectly signal that accounts could be frozen if organisations criticised governments. He cautioned that the proposed rules, which provide for hefty penalties even in cases of technical lapses, could severely hamper the functioning of institutions. The new framework, he added, also carried the potential to disrupt mission activities undertaken outside the State..

“The hospitals and educational institutions established by Christian Churches stand as symbols of their commitment, sincerity and love for the nation. An impression should not be created that the Christian mission of the Churches is being viewed with suspicion,” the Metropolitan said. ”It is regrettable that while regulations are being simplified for industries, mining and other sectors, stricter restrictions are being imposed on humanitarian service activities,” he added.

The Orthodox Church indicated that further steps on the FCRA issue would be taken after consultations with various Christian denominations.

An earlier attempt by the NDA government to push through amendments to the FCRA framework had triggered strong resistance from various Christian denominations. The protests gained momentum across Kerala and acquired added political resonance as they coincided with the Assembly election campaign, prompting the Centre to put the proposal on hold.