Rev. Graham visa denial:NPF refutes Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee charges

Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday dismissed the allegation made by Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) of complicity between it (NPF) and the state government in the denial of a visa to renowned American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham.
Terming the allegation as “baseless and misleading” NPF through its press bureau rejected the NPCC allegations, which it described as “a deliberate attempt” to mislead the public and exploit the sentiments of the Christian community.
The press note said NPF and the state government had “absolutely no role” in blocking Rev. Graham’s entry.
Instead, NPF said the chief minister had made assiduous and persistent efforts at the highest echelons of power to secure visa approval, but the decision was taken solely by the Centre.
NPF reminded that the state Cabinet on January 6, 2025 passed a resolution urging withdrawal of the re-imposed Protected Area Permit (PAP).
NPF also said that party’s central executive council, at its meeting on November 27, 2025, fully endorsed the Cabinet resolution.
It pointed out that chief minister Neiphiu Rio personally wrote to the union home minister on July 18, October 29, November 17, and November 26, 2025, repeatedly requesting early issuance of visa for Rev. Graham and his team.
“Despite these efforts, no official correspondence has been received from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) by the State Government as of 29th November 2025,” NPF stated.
The party also said Rev. Graham and his team have not received any intimation about the visa status from the Indian Embassy in Washington as of November 28, 2025. NPF expressed regret that the state government was all geared up to welcome Rev. Graham to the opening ceremony of the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival.
The party slammed NPCC’s “duplicitous intentions and blatant disregard for the truth”. “We deplore the NPCC’s blatant attempt to shift the onus onto the NPF, which we perceive as a lamentable attempt to politicize the issue and foment dissension,” press bureau said.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding the inviolable values of transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, the NPF said the party was deeply ingrained in Naga identity, culture, and faith.
Asserting it had consistently demonstrated its fealty to protecting and promoting those sacrosanct values, NPF said “we abhor the attempt to conflate faith and politics, and we deplore the endeavour to embroil Rev. Graham’s name in this sordid political controversy.”
NPF advised the people of Nagaland not be swayed by the NPCC’s politically motivated rhetoric.
NPF said the party and the chief minister did everything within their power to facilitate Rev. Graham’s visit, but regrated that the decision to deny the visa was beyond their control.
NPF further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights, faith, and dignity of the Naga people, adding it would continue to uphold and protect Christian identity and values with unwavering integrity.