Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: The Voice of the People Party is fighting back. They want Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider strict new amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The 2026 proposal allows the state to seize assets if an organization loses its FCRA registration. VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit delivered these demands through Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar.
The party fears the rule threatens institutional autonomy. They want safeguards for property rights and clear processes for appeals. Many groups provide critical health and education services in remote corners of the Northeast. Government reach matters here. The VPP claims the current plan could cripple these long-standing community groups.
"Many of these institutions, including those run by minority communities, serve remote communities where governmental services may not always be readily accessible," the party stated. They argued that regulatory actions must follow natural justice rather than blunt force. The VPP demanded wider public consultations with civil society and minority groups before the law moves forward. They hope the Centre will prioritize the stability of these social services while maintaining national security.
Updated at 12th August 2026 at 9:48am
The VPP greeted the Centre's apparent decision to shelve the FCRA Amendment Bill during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament as a win for transparency. Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said the move signals that the government finally recognized the backlash from Christian organizations and political outfits across the country. He credited the pause to the widespread fear that the legislation would wreck religious and charitable institutions relying on foreign funds.
While the party remains on high alert, Basaiawmoit noted the bill is unlikely to move forward before the session closes. The VPP leader declined to call out the NPP-led state government for its quiet stance on the issue, saying only that the public already knows where the ruling party stands based on its performance in Parliament. The party continues to lean on the Governor to ensure the Union Home Minister addresses the specific grievances of Meghalaya's minority communities before any future attempts to revive the proposal.
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