The Indian government has faced mounting criticism in late 2025 over its handling of visa applications and entry permissions for certain foreign Christian figures, particularly evangelists and pastors. These incidents, concentrated in the Christian-majority northeastern states like Nagaland, have raised questions about religious freedom, selective enforcement, and concerns over alleged proselytization activities.
While the government maintains that such decisions protect national security, public order, and compliance with laws prohibiting unregulated missionary work by foreigners, critics—including local Christian organizations, opposition parties, and international observers—view them as discriminatory targeting of Christian speakers and, in some cases, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders involved in pastoral or evangelistic roles.
### Key Incident: Rev. Franklin Graham's Visa Complications (November 2025)
In November 2025, American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, was unable to attend the "Nagaland United: A Gathering of Faith, Hope & Revival" event in Kohima, Nagaland, on November 30, 2025. The event, organized by the Kohima Baptist Pastors' Fellowship (KBPF), commemorated the 53rd anniversary of his father Billy Graham's 1972 crusade in the state and attracted thousands from the region's predominantly Christian communities.
- Organizers announced Graham's absence due to "unforeseen visa-related circumstances beyond our control."
- Initial reports widely described it as a visa denial by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), sparking protests and condemnations.
- The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) condemned the decision as "selective and discriminatory," noting that the government had relaxed Protected Area Permit (PAP) rules for foreign visitors attending the concurrent Hornbill Festival, yet blocked Graham.
Opposition leaders, including Mizoram Congress president Lal Thanzara, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing "extreme disappointment" and arguing it undermined India's constitutional values of religious freedom.
- U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued a statement calling it a "troubling affront to Indian Christians" and inconsistent with promises to protect religious minorities and strengthen U.S.-India ties.
- Later clarifications from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association indicated that visas for Graham and his team were eventually approved by the MHA's Foreigners Division, but the approval arrived too late for travel arrangements.
- No official public explanation was provided by the government, but speculation linked the delay/denial to Graham's long history of evangelistic work and Samaritan's Purse activities in India, which some reports associate with church-building and alleged conversion efforts—activities strictly regulated for foreigners under Indian law.
The episode highlighted tensions in the Northeast, where Christianity has deep roots, yet central oversight on foreign religious visitors remains stringent due to sensitivities around conversions and regional stability.
### OCI Cardholder Cases Involving Christian Pastors
OCI cardholders, who are foreign citizens of Indian origin with lifelong visa-like privileges, are not immune to entry denials or blacklisting under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, for reasons including activities deemed against public interest, security, or sovereignty.
Pastor John Roughton (late 2025 case): An OCI cardholder and pastor associated with the Spirit of Faith Church in Dimapur, Nagaland, was denied entry at an Indian airport (reportedly Delhi) and deported without detailed explanation despite his valid OCI status. His wife, Zhepitoli Zhimomi, held a press conference protesting the action, describing it as abnormal and seeking clarity. Church members staged demonstrations against the unexplained denial. This case echoed broader frustrations in Nagaland over perceived restrictions on Christian leaders.
- Other related incidents include a 2025 Delhi High Court ruling faulting the government for not following due process in blacklisting and deporting an OCI holder involved in alleged unauthorized missionary activities in Nagaland and other northeastern states without required permissions. The court directed authorities to issue a show-cause notice and provide a hearing.
These cases appear tied to suspicions of evangelistic or missionary work without proper authorization, as India prohibits proselytization by foreigners on most visa categories and requires special permissions in restricted areas.
### Government Policy and Broader Context
India's visa and entry policies for religious activities emphasize prevention of unregulated proselytization, especially in tribal or sensitive regions. Foreigners on tourist, business, or e-visas cannot engage in missionary work, and missionary visas are limited to approved organizations for non-proselytizing roles (e.g., administrative oversight of existing institutions).
- The government has not issued public statements confirming a targeted campaign against "Christian speakers" or all OCI holders with Christian affiliations.
- Millions of OCI cardholders visit India annually without issues, and many Christian events occur routinely.
- Denials remain selective, often linked to perceived evangelistic intent, past activities, or intelligence flags rather than religion per se.
- Broader OCI revocations in recent years have targeted diaspora critics (e.g., academics, journalists) for social media posts or activism, showing immigration controls can be used for various reasons, though Christian evangelist cases stand out in the Northeast context.
Christian groups in India, particularly in the Northeast, have expressed hurt sentiments, viewing these as affronts to their faith communities. Opposition parties have framed them as insults to Christians under BJP rule. International voices, including U.S. figures, have raised religious freedom concerns.
As of January 2026, no major policy reversals have been announced, and the incidents continue to fuel debate on balancing religious freedoms with national regulations on foreign missionary influence. The government maintains that decisions are case-specific and lawful, aimed at safeguarding sovereignty and public order.
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