A court in India has ruled that foreign nationals of Indian origin need government permission to preach or share their faith. The ruling is from the Madras High Court and is dated October 26. On November 11, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) voiced concern about the precedent.
The case involves John Daniel, a US citizen of Indian origin and holder of an OCI card (Overseas Citizen of India). His registration was cancelled on September 4, after accusations that he held Christian prayer meetings and preached in villages in Andhra Pradesh between 2017 and 2019. He denies promoting conversions. A government notification from March 2021 already required permission for "missionary activity." The court held that the term includes simple preaching, whether or not conversion occurs.
According to CSW, the ruling threatens the right to propagate one's religion, guaranteed by Article 25 of India's Constitution. The organization recalls that a 1977 Supreme Court decision separated the propagation of faith from forced or fraudulent conversion. According to CSW, the new ruling does not make that distinction. CSW also warns that the interpretation could affect those who visit the country for religious meetings. Scot Bower, CSW chief executive, said the ruling "sets a deeply concerning precedent for freedom of religion or belief in India."
How to pray
- Ask that the freedom to share one's faith be protected in India, as the Constitution provides.
- Pray for John Daniel and for other families affected by the ruling.
- Intercede for Indian Christians who receive visits from believers abroad.
- Ask for wisdom for judges and authorities in the next steps of the case.
Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Illustrative image. Photo: David De Gendt / Unsplash
