Christian event ‘Pray for India’ by a foreign pastor cancelled

The author and popular televangelist from Johannesburg, South Africa Alph Lukau who is also known as an apostle of faith was scheduled to address a Christian religious event in Bengaluru termed ‘Pray for India-Conference 2023’ on 16th and 17th December from 4 pm to 9 pm. However, the program was called off as an activist pointed out that foreign nationals holding any kind of visa are not permitted to preach or spread their religion in India, according to Indian visa regulations.

The post informing about the recent development stated, “We regret to announce, due to unexpected and unavoidable circumstances beyond all measure the Pray for India Conference 2023 to be held on 16th and 17th December at Palace Grounds Bengalurustands cancelled.”

The organisers went so far as to petition the High Court to be allowed to hold the gathering and enable the foreign pastor to preach in defiance of the law, but Hindu activist Girish Bharadwaj also submitted an “intervening application” to enforce the statute.

A letter was submitted by Girish Bharadwaj to the Commissioner of Immigration and Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Bengaluru. It read that the aforementioned program set to happen on Palace Grounds, Gate No. 1, Krishna Vihar on the 16 and 17th of December was going to feature a talk by pastor Alph Lukau who is a South African national.

The letter emphasised, “According to Indian Visa Norms, foreigners with any type of visa are not allowed to preach or propagate their religion in India and the rules do not permit the Indian Government to issue visas to evangelists who desire to come to India to attend religious campaign.”

It accused that to obtain an Indian visa the pastor had deceived the Indian Consulate and added, “His travel to India is with the sole intention of evangelical conversions. I request you to kindly take the necessary precautions to prevent violation of Indian visa norms.”

I have written letter to Commissioner Bureau of Immigration and FRRO, Bengaluru to Prevent Visa norms Violation pic.twitter.com/oD1cdF4bO2

— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) December 10, 2023

Source: opindia