"Freedom of religion is a fundamental constitutional right and any decision perceived as selectively restricting Christian religious expression warranted review"
Billy Graham's son Franklin Graham’s visit to Nagaland cancelled
The Nagaland unit of National People’s Party (NPP) has expressed “deep concern” over the denial of permission for American evangelist Rev.
Franklin Graham’s visit to the state, calling it a setback for thousands of Christians who had prepared for the spiritual event scheduled on November 30 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the party said that churches, Christian organisations and volunteers had made extensive arrangements for the gathering, which was expected to draw large crowds.
The NPP says that the cancellation had caused “deep pain and disappointment” among the Christian community, adding that large-scale Christian gatherings in Nagaland had historically played an important role in promoting unity, moral guidance and community service.
Nagaland Congress, which for all practical purpose since June 2024 has been soft towards the state government, has slammed the ruling NPF-led dispensation as well for the episode.
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) -led by none other than chief minister Neiphiu Rio though left red-faced, on Saturday rejected the Congress party's allegation that the party or the state government had any role in the denial of visa to American evangelist Rev Dr. Franklin Graham.
In a rejoinder, the NPF termed the allegation “baseless and misleading” while accusing the NPCC of attempting to “exploit the sentiments of the Christian community” for political gain.
The NPF asserted that neither the party nor the state government had any involvement in the visa decision, which it stated was taken solely by the government of India. It maintained that Chief Minister Rio had rather made
“persistent efforts at the highest levels” to facilitate the visa, including multiple communications to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
So far, no official reason from the Govt of India has been made available in the public domain. But in the past, the ruling BJP in the centre and the RSS leaders have been grossly concerned over the issues such as conversion but those mainly related to Catholic organisations and for events in states such as Jharkhand, Goa and Chhattisgarh.
NPF sources say the chief minister Rio wrote to Amit Shah on three occasions - July 18, October 29, and November 17 requesting early approval of the visa.
The anticipated visit of Rev. Franklin Graham to Nagaland on November 30 has been cancelled due to visa restrictions, the organisers have announced.
The decision comes after weeks of preparation by the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF), the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF).
Rev. Franklin Graham—a Christian evangelist and son of the late Dr. Billy Graham—had been scheduled to visit the state more than 50 years after his father’s historic 1972 crusade in Kohima,
.... remembered as the “Kohima Miracle.”
In a statement Supongmeren Jamir-led NPCC almost surprised friends and foes and blamed the Naga People’s Front (NPF) led by Rio.
The NPF is BJP ally both in Nagaland and Manipur and hence this development appears to be an intereresting episode of "differences" between the Lotus party and the one led by Rio himself.
The Nagaland Congress statement accused the NPF of “complete inaction” and “political opportunism”. It also said the Cock party had a responsibility to intervene and ensure that the visa was granted but had “failed to stand up for the sentiments of the Naga people.”
For Congress leaders in Nagaland it was a bit U-turn as the party had tried to handle the state government and the controversial issues around it with kid-gloves since Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress MP even had pitched hard for an airport in Kohima - which was largely seen as the NDPP and now an NPF's agenda.
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum has now urged all sections of people to gather at the IG stadium on Sunday evening (Nov 30th) for a time of "worship and celebration".
ends
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