India’s Proposed NGO Crackdown Threatens Religious Liberty and Charity

For years, faith-based organizations in India have faced increasing pressure under India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Thousands of NGOs have already lost licenses, including organizations involved in education, disaster relief, medical care, and ministry work. Further, the government is considering giving itself even broader authority.

The ACLJ is urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Trump Administration to closely examine new proposed amendments to India’s FCRA. These changes would dramatically expand the Indian government’s power over churches, ministries, charities, orphanages, schools, hospitals, and humanitarian organizations receiving foreign support.

Under the proposed legislation, the Indian government could take control of assets belonging to charitable organizations. Government-appointed authorities would gain sweeping power to supervise, transfer, liquidate, or redirect charitable assets and financial resources intended to fund important humanitarian needs. Democratic governments committed to the rule of law should not empower bureaucrats to seize control of faith-based ministries and charitable organizations.

Christian ministries feeding the poor. Churches operating schools. Faith-based orphanages caring for children. Medical clinics serving vulnerable communities. Anti-human trafficking ministries rescuing women and children. Organizations like these could not only be arbitrarily shut down, but under the proposed amendment they will lose ownership of their buildings, vehicles, bank accounts, humanitarian supplies, and ministry resources through government action.

That should alarm every American who believes in religious freedom. Take action with the ACLJ. Sign our petition: Defend India’s Persecuted Christians and Protect Religious Freedom.

Americans give millions of dollars every year to support humanitarian and ministry work throughout India. Churches, nonprofits, and individual donors sacrificially support feeding programs, orphan care, medical outreach, education initiatives, and disaster response efforts because they believe people in need should be cared for. These donors should not have to worry that their hard-earned money given in good faith could ultimately be seized, redirected, or liquidated and given to a foreign government.

The ACLJ sent a letter to Secretary Rubio urging the State Department to closely examine these proposed amendments and engage Indian officials about the serious implications for religious liberty, property rights, and American-supported humanitarian work. Our letter acknowledges that India is an important ally of the United States. Our nations share economic ties, security partnerships, and democratic traditions, but maintaining strong alliances depends on ongoing shared commitment to liberty and the rule of law.

President Trump and his Administration have consistently made clear that religious liberty is a fundamental human right. America has long stood with persecuted believers and defended the principle that faith-based organizations should be free to serve the poor and care for the vulnerable without government interference. That is why we are asking the Trump Administration to engage with India to ensure these FCRA amendments are not adopted and to start by reminding Indian officials that their Constitution guarantees religious freedom under Article 25.

The good news for now is that the Indian government has delayed further consideration of these amendments after growing criticism from religious organizations, humanitarian advocates, and civil society groups. That delay is encouraging, but the legislation remains pending.

The ACLJ has fought for religious liberty around the world for decades because we know that the more power governments accumulate over churches, charities, and religious ministries, the less freedom civil society retains. Faith-based organizations should be free to feed the poor, educate children, care for the vulnerable, and live out their faith without fear of government intimidation or confiscation. Religious liberty is a God-given right. The ACLJ will continue fighting to defend it.

Join us in ensuring religious freedom is preserved in India: Sign our petition.