The National United Christian Forum (NUCF) has strongly condemned the release of the film Sanatani – Karma hi Dharma, set to premiere on Feb. 7 in Odisha.
The forum, which represents the Christian community, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), and the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), has accused the film of distorting Christian beliefs and inciting religious disharmony.
In a statement, NUCF criticized the film for its “derogatory portrayal of Jesus Christ, Christian services, and the sacrament of Baptism.”
The forum asserted that the film “misrepresents religious conversion as a criminal act, undermining the constitutional right to freedom of religion.”
NUCF emphasized that “every Indian citizen has the right to practice and convert to any faith of their choice, as enshrined in the Constitution.”
The forum also expressed concern over the film’s potential to “fuel divisions among tribal communities, whose indigenous traditions contribute to India’s pluralistic heritage.”
NUCF warned that such narratives could be used to justify discrimination against tribal groups and Christian minorities, “echoing past instances of violence in Odisha.”
The state has witnessed “brutal attacks, forced displacements, and religious persecution, particularly in the 2008 Kandhamal riots.”
NUCF further pointed to “recent cases of violence in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh,” accusing authorities of failing to protect minorities.
The forum urged the government to prevent the screening of the film, warning that it “could incite hatred and disrupt communal harmony.”
NUCF called for “responsible use of this right to avoid targeting any community.” It appealed to the government, civil society, and citizens to “safeguard peace, security, and national unity.”
