NEW DELHI, 13 Aug: Welcoming the government's initiative of appointing a 31-member joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, the United Christian Forum (UCF) appealed to the government to not only examine the bill in detail but have it redrafted by the JPC "to provide organisations with an opportunity to be heard before renewal is refused, as well as a right to appeal against such a refusal, among other changes, that would make the regulation fair and transparent."

The UCF had joined national Church leaders representing different denominations in appealing to the government, particularly to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to either withdraw the proposed legislation or submit it to comprehensive parliamentary scrutiny and stakeholder consultation.

"Christians are already facing physical intimidation, social hostility, disruption of prayer meetings, criminal accusations and attacks upon pastors, families and congregations in several parts of the country.

Against this background, legislation capable of placing the properties and assets of Christian charitable organisations, schools, hospitals and social-service institutions under sweeping administrative control could be potentially devastating layer of vulnerability," the UCF said.

In a statement, UCF national president Dr Michael Williams said, "Whether this consequence is by design or sheer coincidence, its (the amendments) impact upon the Christian community could be profound. Violence can close a church door by force. An excessively punitive law can close a school, hospital, orphanage or charitable institution through administrative action. India must not permit its Christian citizens to be squeezed between hostility on the streets and insecurity within the law."

The UCF said that the Christian community has always been a non-violent, law-abiding people. It seeks fairness under the law, protection from violence, and the freedom guaranteed to every Indian by the Constitution - to profess, practice and propagate one's faith, and to establish and administer institutions that serve the nation.

The forum further said India's strength has never come from making its minorities feel smaller. "It has come from making every citizen feel equally Indian," it said.