By Admin 
The battle over FCRA amendment has intensified in Kerala politics. Senior Congress leader and General Secretary KC Venugopal has expressed strong protest by writing a letter directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has expressed deep displeasure, calling the PM’s statement an “insult to the entire community”. The controversy began when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an NDA rally in Thiruvalla, Kerala on April 4, accused the UDF of “spreading lies” regarding the FCRA and the Uniform Civil Code. Now Congress has retaliated against this statement and made it a political and sensitive issue.
“I am writing with deep sadness and despair…”
KC Venugopal used very strong words in his letter. He wrote: “I am writing to you with deep sorrow and disappointment. Your statement in Kerala, in which you accused the UDF of spreading lies for political gain regarding FCRA, was extremely problematic and insulting to the entire community. Making such a statement on a holy day was especially unfortunate and avoidable.”
Venugopal also made it clear that the proposed changes in FCRA have “far-reaching and dangerous consequences”, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
Government’s stand- “Honest NGOs need not be afraid”
Amidst this entire controversy, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju presented the government’s side. He said, “The Christian community need not worry at all. The proposed FCRA amendment bill will help good NGOs and will target only those illegal organizations that are working against the interests of India. There will be no harm to good organizations, especially Christian organizations. I want to give them full assurance that this bill will not harm genuine organizations.” He also told that at present the bill has been put on hold and it will be discussed further.
Kharge’s attack – “This is not a reform, it is an attack”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also cornered the Modi government on this issue. He said, “This is not reform. This is an attack, not just on Christian institutions, but also on civil society, NGOs and organizations that help the poor.” Terming it as “selective targeting”, Kharge said that just as the change in Waqf law created fear in the Muslim community, similarly the FCRA amendment has increased concern in the Christian community.
Electoral impact and political message
Just before the assembly elections in Kerala, the issue of FCRA has become very politically sensitive. Congress is trying to make it a big election issue by linking it to the security and rights of communities, while BJP is presenting it by linking it to transparency and national security. This entire controversy has made it clear that the FCRA amendment is no longer just a legal or administrative issue, but has directly become the center of political, social and religious discussion.