Mizo National Front Battles Proposed Foreign Funding Law

Aizawl: The Mizo National Front is fighting back against the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill. The opposition party wants Mizoram’s representatives in Parliament to vote against the measure. The Bill appeared in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session. It is now up for a vote during the Monsoon Session. The proposal has caused alarm in Christian-majority Mizoram. Locals fear it will cripple the work of churches, schools, and NGOs.

MNF vice-president Lalchhandama Ralte spoke out against the legislation. He called the changes a threat to any group that depends on overseas cash for welfare work. The party demands more than just silence from state lawmakers. "The MNF is firmly opposed to the FCRA Amendment Bill. We expect the state's MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to strongly oppose it and not simply abstain during the voting," Ralte said. Mizoram currently has two MPs, one in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha, both from the ruling Zoram People's Movement.

Ralte claims the Bill centralizes control and tightens rules on assets. He argues the changes will hurt orphanages and schools. MNF president and former chief minister Zoramthanga is in New Delhi to lobby central leadership on the matter. Ralte pointed to similar pushback in Meghalaya and Nagaland, where state leaders and clergy have already engaged with Union officials. Meanwhile, the Mizoram government plans to send its own memorandum to the Centre. Chief Minister Lalduhoma recently met with the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee and the Council of Churches in Mizoram. They agreed the Bill is unacceptable in its current form. "As Christians, we strongly oppose these amendments because they will have a far-reaching impact on institutions serving the people," Ralte added.