The Indian government’s decision to deny a visa to U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham has triggered strong reactions in Nagaland and revived scrutiny of the preacher’s long, controversial engagement with religious activities in India. Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse, was scheduled to attend a major Christian gathering in Kohima on 30 November 2025, but was barred entry under India’s visa regulations.
Visa Denial and Political Fallout
Under the Foreigners Act, 1946, foreign nationals on tourist or business visas cannot engage in preaching or proselytising. Even missionary (M-type) visas do not allow religious activities – they only allow charity related activities. India has previously deported or blacklisted foreign preachers, most notably during the 2020 Tablighi Jamaat incident, for violating visa norms.
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum and several political organisations expressed disappointment. The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) issued a sharp condemnation, calling the refusal “a direct affront to religious freedom” and stating that Naga Christians had awaited Graham’s visit with “great anticipation and prayer.”
Who Is Franklin Graham?
Franklin Graham, son of world-famous evangelist Billy Graham, is a prominent American missionary and CEO of both BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse. Born in 1952, the fourth of five children, he lives in Boone, North Carolina, and became BGEA president in 2001. He and his wife Jane have four children and thirteen grandchildren.
Long History of Evangelical Activity in India
Graham has visited India multiple times across decades. His organisation has been associated with conversion-linked activities, using humanitarian aid as a mechanism for evangelism.
His India footprint includes:
1984: Laid the foundation for a church through Samaritan’s Purse, beginning a long partnership with the Evangelical Church of India (ECI) for church construction.
2010: Held the “Chennai Hope Festival,” drawing over 85,000 attendees and encouraging thousands to commit to Christianity publicly.
2011: Conducted the “Hyderabad Festival” at LB Stadium, which sparked protests by the VHP and Bajrang Dal alleging visa violations and covert proselytisation.
2020: During the pandemic, BGEA reposted older India-event videos claiming that only the “Christian God” could save people, urging Indians to “come to know the living Saviour.”
Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child, launched in 1993, has delivered 6.6 million shoeboxes in India since the early 2000s, accompanied by Gospel messages and a 12-week discipleship programme called The Greatest Journey.
A 2020 Samaritan’s Purse report claimed the organisation had helped establish 1,012 churches and 12 Bible schools across India.
Past Controversies
Franklin Graham has attracted criticism for remarks rejecting Hindu deities. In a 2010 USA Today interview, he said:
“No elephant (Lord Ganesha) with 100 arms can do anything for me. None of their 9,000 gods is going to lead me to salvation. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can have some big kumbaya service and all hold hands and it’s all going to get better in this world.” The comment resurfaced after the visa denial, prompting renewed debate about his polarising views.
Billy Graham’s Legacy and India Ties
Franklin’s father, Billy Graham, had a significant presence in India’s religious history.
1956: Met Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, preached to over 100,000 people over three days, recording around 4,000 conversions and distributing 12,000 Bibles. The visit helped global Christian organisations, including World Vision, expand their footprint in India.
Billy Graham’s first planned Crusade in Bombay was canceled due to unrelated riots, giving him time to witness local culture. His next stop, Madras, drew massive crowds. He visited Hindu temples, observed rituals, and preached to 40,000 with Telugu and Tamil translations, stressing that ‘all are one in Christ Jesus’.
1972: Met Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and conducted a massive Crusade in conflict-hit Nagaland, attended by nearly 500,000 people. Gandhi personally monitored his safety and arranged helicopters for his departure.
1977: Met Tamil Nadu Governor Prabhudas Patwari while in India for relief work after a devastating cyclone.
A village rebuilt through his humanitarian efforts was later named Billy Graham Nagar (1980).
USAID has long funded World Vision International, giving it over USD 2 billion, making it one of the agency’s top global recipients. World Vision India received hundreds of crores every year until its FCRA licence was cancelled in in October 2022 for illegal religious- conversion activities.
Billy Graham died on 21 February 2018, at age 99.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.