The All India Council which represents many churches and Christian groups is urging the Indian Prime Minister to intervene after thousands of charities lost their FCRA license which is required to receive funding from oversees.

The government there set a deadline of 31st December for renewing licenses but many charities are claiming their applications have been rejected or not processed due to website glitches.

The All India Council says while some groups may have been lax in applying for their licenses, hundreds have been in touch to complain about the system.

In a statement, Archbishop Joseph D'Souza, President of the All India Christian Council said: "[We call] upon the Prime Minister who has rightly championed democracy around the world to address the needs of the Christian NGOs as well as other NGOs who are faced with this humanitarian crisis. 

"The Council wonders as to why the NGOs who serve the poor and needy in health education and economic development or religious work are put through this enormous strain and difficulty at this particular time.

"And VERY IMPORTANTLY when the MHA itself has extended the date of application for renewals to March 31st, 2022, what was the need to cease the functioning of thousands of NGOs because the application for renewal was not filed by December 31st, 2021. This does not make sense.

"At a time when the Prime Minister is investing much time and energy building the profile of India as a major democracy, damage to the image of the Prime Minister and India is enormous in what can be described as a shoddy approach of a key government department."

Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity is one of the organisations which has been refused a license. It's being investigated by authorities over claims of forced conversions to Christianity. A claim which is strongly denied.