Shillong, Nov 30: NPP has petitioned the Centre against visa denial to Rev. Franklin Graham for visiting Nagaland.
Full text of the letter below
To,
The Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs,
Government of India,
New Delhi
Subject: Request for reconsideration of visa denial to Rev. Franklin Graham for visit to Nagaland
Sir,
This is to draw your kind attention to the recent denial of an entry visa to Rev. Franklin Graham, an internationally known Christian evangelist, who had been invited by the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship to visit Nagaland and address a public gathering at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on 30 November 2025.
The organisers have publicly stated that the visit has been cancelled due to visa restrictions/ unforeseen visa-related circumstances beyond their control, leading to deep disappointment among thousands of faithful who had prepared for weeks for this spiritually significant event.
Nagaland has a long and special association with the Graham family, dating back to the historic visit of Rev. Billy Graham to Kohima in 1972, which remains an important marker in the State’s religious and social history.
The proposed visit of Rev. Franklin Graham was therefore seen not merely as a routine engagement, but as a moment of spiritual renewal and unity for the Naga people and for Christians across the North East who had planned to participate in the programme.
The National People’s Party (NPP), with its strong roots in the North Eastern region and its commitment to protecting the rights and sentiments of all communities, has received representations from church leaders and civil society expressing anguish over the denial of visa in this case.
In a region where Christian believers form a substantial majority and where religious events of this nature contribute to peace, reconciliation and social harmony, the perception that a peaceful religious gathering has been disallowed due to visa issues risks creating misunderstanding and alienation.
While fully respecting the sovereign prerogative of the Government of India to regulate entry of foreign nationals on security and policy considerations, this letter humbly requests your good office to kindly review the decision in respect of Rev. Franklin Graham and to consider granting him permission to visit Nagaland, subject to all applicable laws and conditions. Such a gesture would send a powerful message of India’s commitment to religious freedom and inclusiveness, and would greatly reassure the Christian communities of Nagaland and the wider North East.
With warm regards,
Yours sincerely,
(James P. K. Sangma)
National Working President
National People’s Party
