Nagaland Congress slams Centre over Franklin Graham visa denial

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has criticised the Union government’s decision to deny an entry visa to Rev. Franklin Graham, calling it discriminatory and an affront to the Christian community in Nagaland.

In a statement issued on Friday, the NPCC said the cancellation of the American evangelist’s visit had “deeply hurt and insulted” the people of Nagaland who were preparing to receive him. It alleged that the move reflected “systematic and intolerant policies of the BJP-RSS regime” and a wider attempt to “suppress and marginalise” religious minorities.

Calling the visa refusal “a direct assault on the freedom of faith guaranteed by the Constitution”, the party said the decision disregarded the religious sentiments of Nagas and undermined their identity as a predominantly Christian community.

The NPCC also blamed the Naga People’s Front (NPF), a constituent of the ruling coalition both at the Centre and in the state, accusing it of “complete inaction” and “political opportunism”. It said the NPF 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.”

Also read: Franklin Graham’s visit to Nagaland cancelled

Further, the party said BJP legislators from Nagaland had “lost the moral right” to remain in the Assembly for being unable to persuade their own central leadership to reconsider the decision. It alleged that the BJP MLAs had demonstrated loyalty to the “anti-minority agenda” of their party rather than to the Christian community in Nagaland.

“If they possess any shred of integrity and respect for the faith of their constituents, they must tender their resignations immediately,” the NPCC said, adding that their continued presence in the Assembly was “an insult to every citizen of Nagaland.”

The party alleged that both the NPF and BJP MLAs were “complicit” in the episode and accused them of failing to protect the interests of the state.

The NPCC demanded a transparent explanation from the Centre and called upon the people of Nagaland to recognise what it described as the “hypocrisy” of the NPF and BJP on the issue.