Catholic Bishops' Conference of India Responds to FCRA Amendment Bill Delay

CBCI Welcomes Postponement of FCRA Amendment Bill

New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) expressed its approval on Wednesday regarding the decision to delay the introduction of the FCRA Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. However, they emphasized that their concerns persist since the bill has merely been postponed, not withdrawn.

After the announcement by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju that the bill would not be discussed that day, Robinson Rodrigues, the CBCI's public relations officer, noted that they had previously communicated their concerns about the bill to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and various Members of Parliament.

Rodrigues stated, "While we appreciate the delay, it is crucial to remember that it is only a postponement, not a cancellation. Therefore, our advocacy and protests will continue. We are grateful to the MPs, especially from the opposition, who have supported our cause."

He further acknowledged the government's decision to postpone the bill, thanking those who have backed their stance. "We submitted our memorandum to Honourable Home Minister Amit Shah and other supportive MPs yesterday. The government has chosen not to present the bill today," he added.

The spokesperson for CBCI mentioned that this delay provides them with additional time to strategize and referred to the matter as a humanitarian concern.

When questioned about speculation that the bill's postponement was influenced by the upcoming elections in Kerala, he responded, "Our delegation plans to meet with them. I trust that the government will heed our concerns and respond appropriately."

Rodrigues also indicated that CBCI representatives would seek meetings with key leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Kiren Rijiju, among others.