John Daniel, an Indian-origin US citizen associated with the Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship of India (LEFI), has drawn attention for a sermon in which he mocked Hindu religious symbols, including the naamam and bindi worn by Hindus.
In the sermon, Daniel ridiculed the practice of applying religious marks on the forehead, making disparaging remarks about Hindu men and women who wear them. He also attributed these practices to “mantras and tantras” and mocked the use of white sacred markings.
“…cursing the whole nation and that is what the politicians want to push. They’ll come with black faces, take some white paint and put naamam across their face (makes fun). That’s the country for you. Brother, where is your white paint? Sometime I feel sad for them. Especially some women, putting naamam and bindu and a man. More than a man. I feel sorry for them. These comes from mantras and tantras. Do they do that with dung brother? Instead of white, it can be brown. Do they do that? White paint! I feel sorry for them. If I have a handkerchief, I will give it to them to wipe it off. Don’t give it back! Throw it in the garbage! No clear mind.”
Listen carefully to these words. How much hatred is being spread against Hindu Dharmic rituals and Hindus under the guise of church service and prayer activities!
He is Mr John Daniel of Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship of India (LEFI), an Indian-origin US citizen who recently lost his OCI status.
LRPF pursued this matter through sustained complaints and persistent follow-up with the Government of India, while also communicating with Indian consular offices in the United States. Our continued efforts ultimately culminated in the cancellation of John Daniel’s OCI status by the Government of India.
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) October 29, 2026
His remarks mocked Hindu devotional practices by comparing sacred forehead markings to paint and suggesting that they should be wiped off and discarded. He also made disparaging comments about Hindu women and men who observe these traditions.
Daniel’s remarks come against the backdrop of a legal battle over his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. The Government of India cancelled his OCI status, a decision subsequently upheld by the Madras High Court, in a case concerning missionary preaching without the required permission in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
According to the Hindu advocacy group LRPF, it pursued the matter through sustained complaints and follow-up with the Government of India, while also communicating with Indian consular offices in the United States. The group claims that these efforts ultimately culminated in the cancellation of Daniel’s OCI status.
The Madras High Court upheld the cancellation of Daniel’s OCI status in a case concerning missionary preaching without the required permission in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. LRPF, which pursued the matter through complaints and follow-ups with the Government of India and communications with Indian consular offices in the United States, said its efforts culminated in the cancellation of his OCI status.
Daniel’s sermon has renewed attention on the way Hindu religious customs and symbols are portrayed in missionary preaching, particularly when sacred practices are ridiculed before congregations. His comments specifically targeted the naamam and bindi—forehead markings with religious and cultural significance for many Hindus.
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