OCI cardholder can’t spread word of god sans govt nod: Madras HC

Madras high court

CHENNAI: Preachings and activities to spread the word of ‘God’, by an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) would fall within the meaning of missionary activity requiring special permission, Madras high court has said.Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy made the observation on Wednesday while confirming an order dated Sept 4, passed by the Bureau of Immigration cancelling the OCI permit granted to John Daniel, a US citizen.According to the petitioner, he visits India to meet his family members, pays respects to his elders at their graves in the Madras Cemeteries Board Trust Christian Cemetery, Kilpauk Garden Road, Chennai, visits his mother, and preserves close familial bonds.

He claimed that he had not violated any law governing OCI cardholders and denied the allegations of missionary activities and religious conversions.Refusing to concur with the submissions, the court pointed out that substantial materials had been produced against the petitioner, indicating that he had consistently been addressing congregations, gatherings and meetings at various places in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and that advertisements had been issued inviting the general public to attend his meetings.

“Those materials cannot be regarded as fabricated or concocted,” the court said.“It is one thing to contend that the petitioner is not involved in conversion and is only spreading the message of ‘God’. However, it is not only for conversion, but even to be a missionary preaching his religion, it is only a prior permission that is mandated,” the court said.“The petitioner has made a categorical and sweeping statement before this court that he has never been involved in any missionary activities in India and has visited India only to see his mother, family and friends, which, on the face of it, is a lie,” the court said.

“The petitioner will be free to apply for a regular visa to visit his mother. For conduct of his meetings and religious purposes, he can carry out his activities in India only upon being granted the requisite official permission,” the court added and dismissed the plea.