Says decision exposes BJP’s ‘discriminatory agenda’
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Sunday strongly condemned the Union Home Ministry’s (MHA) last-minute, selective relaxation of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) for the Hornbill Festival, calling it a calculated move that exposes the BJP government’s “discriminatory agenda” and use of state machinery for religious exclusion.
In a statement, the NPCC said the MHA’s action highlighted two key issues. First, the PAP is a political tool rather than a security necessity, with its temporary relaxation for tourists demonstrating that the initial denial to Rev. Franklin Graham was a deliberate act of religious discrimination against a prominent Christian leader.
Second, the NPCC termed the MHA’s move a “profound betrayal,” noting that the cosmetic concession for tourists was granted while the visa ban against Rev. Graham remained in place. The committee described the decision as a blatant disrespect to Nagaland, made despite repeated requests from the state’s own NDA ally.
The NPCC asserted that it would not allow what it called a “grave assault” on religious freedom and political dignity to be masked by a last-minute procedural tweak. The party reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights and self-respect of the Naga people.