Meghalaya CM, Church Delegation Meet Kiren Rijiju Over FCRA Amendment Concerns

New Delhi, April 8, 2026 – Conrad Kongkal Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, on Tuesday met Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, along with a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), to discuss concerns surrounding the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill 2026.

Speaking after the meeting, Sangma said the delegation raised issues related to the impact of the proposed amendments on institutions providing education, healthcare and social services, particularly in remote and tribal regions of Meghalaya and the Northeast.

The delegation included Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and prominent church leaders such as Cardinal Anthony Poola, Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Archbishop of Delhi, and Mathew Moolakkat, Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam. Also present were Father Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary-General of the CCBI, and constitutional lawyer Tehmina Arora.

According to Sangma, the delegation stressed the need for safeguards to ensure that essential services continue without disruption, while maintaining transparency and accountability under the law. He added that the group remains committed to constructive engagement with the government in the interest of the people.

Rijiju listened to the concerns and assured the delegation that wider consultations would take place before finalising any amendments to the Bill.

The FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 was initially scheduled for discussion in Parliament on April 1. However, it was deferred to the next session in July following strong objections from opposition leaders, civil society groups and Church representatives.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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