Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday organised a peaceful protest march in Shillong against the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), with party workers carrying Congress flags and placards as they marched from the Fire Brigade Ground to Don Bosco Square.
The protest march, which began at around 11 am, was organised to oppose the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, which the Congress claims could have serious implications for churches, educational institutions, NGOs and other organisations receiving foreign contributions.
Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Vincent H. Pala thanked those who participated in the peace rally and said the BJP had issued a whip and was likely to bring the Bill before Parliament ahead of its scheduled recess on August 13.
“The BJP has issued a whip and they are likely to bring the Bill either today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow,” Pala said.
Pala said the objective of the peaceful rally was to draw attention to what he described as a serious threat to institutions that have historically received financial support from abroad.
“After independence, this is the first attack on the churches, on the school institutions, the NGOs, and so many others who used to fund from the money from our friends all over the world,” he said.
Clarifying the Congress’s position, Pala said the protest was not against the Government of India or the country, but against provisions of the proposed legislation.
Pala specifically raised concerns over Clause 16A, alleging that organisations could risk losing their properties if their FCRA registration is not renewed, cancelled or voluntarily surrendered.