Thousands Join CCM Rally in Aizawl Against Proposed FCRA Amendment Bill

Thousands of people gathered in Aizawl on Tuesday as the Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM) organised a major protest rally against the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.

The protest began at around 10:30 am, with participants marching from two parts of the city—Zarkawt and Sikulpuikawn. The two groups later converged in front of Vanapa Hall, where the main programme was held.

The rally brought together the nine major church denominations under the CCM, along with representatives of other Christian denominations, civil society organisations and members of the public.

The CCM's nine member churches are the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church of Mizoram, Evangelical Church of Maraland, Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Church, Evangelical Free Church of India, Isua Krista Church, Independent Church of India, Wesleyan Methodist Church of Mizoram and Zomi Baptist Church.

The protest focused primarily on provisions in the proposed amendment concerning the assets of organisations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or otherwise ceases, including through non-renewal.

Under the proposed framework, a designated authority would take provisional custody of and manage assets created from foreign contributions. Permanent vesting could follow if an organisation's registration is not restored within the prescribed period.

Churches and civil society groups in Mizoram have raised concerns that the provisions could affect institutions and organisations that have received foreign contributions and use such resources for education, healthcare, social welfare and religious activities.

Ahead of the rally, the CCM had appealed to its member churches, other Christian denominations, NGOs and members of the public to participate in the demonstration. The large turnout made the protest one of the significant public demonstrations organised by the church body since its formation.

The programme at Vanapa Hall included a mass prayer, followed by speeches and other activities highlighting the churches' objections to the proposed legislation.

The CCM was established in 2024 as an umbrella body bringing together major Christian denominations in Mizoram. It was initially formed by eight churches and later expanded to nine member denominations.

The Centre, meanwhile, has defended the proposed amendments, saying the provisions are intended to establish a clear mechanism for managing assets created from foreign contributions when an organisation's FCRA registration ceases.

The government has also maintained that places of worship would retain their religious character under the proposed framework.