TMC’s Derek O’Brien questions Modi govt on FCRA, Manipur crisis, and anti-conversion laws

TMC leader Derek O’Brien criticized the Narendra Modi government on January 2, 2025, demanding answers on various issues affecting the Christian community. In a blog post, O'Brien posed several "hard questions" to Prime Minister Modi, calling for accountability over matters such as the weaponization of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), the ongoing situation in Manipur, and the government's stance on anti-conversion laws.

O'Brien's remarks came days after PM Modi attended a Christmas celebration organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) in Delhi. The TMC leader asked why Christmas Day had been turned into "Good Governance Day" and questioned why the FCRA was being used to target Christian-run institutions. He also raised concerns about the government's approach to the people of Manipur, the promotion of anti-conversion laws, and the impact on fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The leader further accused the government of exacerbating religious tensions, particularly in Kerala, by promoting the Waqf bill and fueling divisions among minorities. He also questioned the government's silence on hate speeches and communal slurs, highlighting the increasing attacks on institutions run by minorities.

O’Brien also referred to the case of Father Stan Swamy, the 84-year-old tribal rights activist who died in custody in 2021 after being arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He asked why the National Human Rights Commission had lost its UN accreditation twice since 2014, citing these concerns as part of the government's broader disregard for minority rights.

The TMC leader, who has been active in public life for over two decades, expressed that he had never before written about the church in India but felt compelled to do so now. He emphasized that silence on such critical issues would make him complicit in the situation.

Earlier in December 2024, a group of Christian MPs raised concerns with the CBCI about the treatment of minorities, urging the church leadership to stop engaging in symbolic gestures and instead take a firm stand against those not upholding the Constitution.