Shillong: Meghalaya BJP leaders are racing to calm church officials terrified of new federal funding laws. The party fears a backlash over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Local missionaries worry the government wants to seize their assets. These groups run most of the state's schools and hospitals.
State BJP general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna told The Shillong Times that the party intends to keep the peace. He argued the changes focus on compliance rather than property grabs. Pohshna pointed to federal promises. "If you have heard the statement made by the Union Home Minister… he assured them that everything will be prospective," Pohshna said. He added that humanitarian groups have nothing to worry about.
The law plans to name a designated authority to handle assets if an organization loses its registration. Thousands of Christian groups have already lost their status since 2011. Critics claim the government uses vague terms to target these institutions. They fear Delhi bureaucrats hold too much power over local health and education.
Internal friction is growing. Senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA AL Hek broke rank to challenge the federal approach. He wrote to Rajya Sabha MP James PK Sangma to demand protections for these groups. Hek wants the Narendra Modi government to hold formal talks with religious leaders before the bill reaches Parliament. He is waiting for a reply.
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