SHILLONG/ TURA: With criticism from several quarters mounting over the rejection of a visa application to a Christian preacher by the Indian consulate in South Africa, the BJP leadership has taken up the matter with the Indian embassy in Johannesburg following which the application has been reportedly re-opened.
The denial of visa to the preacher, who was scheduled to attend 150 years of Christianity among the Garo Baptists at Rajasimla in North Garo Hills, has led to an uproar in the Garo Hills.
President of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Dr Ngwedla Paul Msiza, who is also the religious head of the Baptist World Community, was scheduled to make a visit to Meghalaya to witness the five-day religious celebrations which began on Wednesday and will culminate in a special church service on Sunday. He was due to travel from Johannesburg.
An official release from the Baptist organisation said that Dr Msiza had applied for visa on January 29 and was informed of the rejection on February 7 evening.
In poll-bound Meghalaya, the issue has taken a political colour with social media users terming it as another instance of the “anti-Christian” attitude of the BJP government.
“It was shocking to hear the news from the Indian consulate. We are extremely disappointed that we will miss the global head of the Baptist Christian community on this historic occasion. The BWA president for us is the pastoral head of the Baptists worldwide like His Holiness the Pope is of the Catholic community,” said a Baptist leader.
Formed in 1905 in London during the first Baptist World Congress, the Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organisations. It maintains ecumenical relations with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has condemned the rejection of the visa application of Dr Msiza terming it as the central government’s apathy towards the Christian community.
“Where are the voices of dissent within the NDA? It is time we seek answers from those in power. I extend my full support to my people in Garo Hills. It is unfortunate that a spiritual leader of his stature cannot attend the Garo Baptist Convention’s celebrations at Rajasimla and I demand that this is resolved at the earliest,” the CM posted on his social media account. The state Congress, meanwhile, has come down heavily on the Union government over repeated visa rejections involving Christian missionaries who intend to visit the state.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee working president Vincent Pala said such rejections have become common in the past 3 years, which shows the real mindset of the current dispensation at the Centre and their masters in Nagpur who want to paint the whole country saffron.
Pala said he had taken up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“They never reject the visas of businessmen and industrialists. This is a clear case of discrimination against the Christians and a sign of intolerance,” he ranted while recalling that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had once stooped so low as to ridicule the revered St. Mother Teresa.
Rejecting allegations that the visa denial pointed to the BJP’s anti-minority stance, Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons said, “Nalin Kohli was informed about it yesterday morning and I was informed about it in the afternoon. We immediately took up the matter with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who, in turn, personally called the Indian consulate in South Africa to reopen the application at the earliest.”
A message on social media which has gone viral reads: “Sad day for the people of Meghalaya… shocked that despite follow ups with higher ups in the central government and some BJP top politicians both at the Centre and the state, the Union government has displayed its anti-Christian attitude by rejecting the visa to the honourable religious head of the Baptist Christian community who can be notionally equated with His Excellency the Pope. Sabka saath, sabka vikash?”
Clarifying on the content of the social media message, Alphons said, “They (Baptist organisation) never got in touch with BJP leaders. I am in Meghalaya but nobody rang me up regarding the issue. Yesterday I had a long chat with a senior Baptist leader but he never discussed about any visa application.”
“His (Msiza’s) application on January 29 was under tourist visa and the purpose of attending the church gathering was not mentioned which was detected by the Union Home Ministry,” Alphons said.
Criticising the Congress for “communalising” the issue, Alphons said, “They (Congress) are spreading lies. Every day hundreds of people are denied visas irrespective of their religious background. America and Europe reject 50 per cent visa applications. Then why a single application is being singled out to attack the BJP as anti-Christian. The MEA has to follow standard protocol.”
He further clarified that the reason for the rejection was a mistake filed in the application.
“We are reviewing the application as a complaint has been lodged. We believe that it is incumbent on the government to take into consideration the sentiments of the people as he is the president of the World Baptist Alliance,” he said, adding that the Congress was going overboard to politicise the issue.
Earlier, Tura MP Conrad K Sangma had written to Sushma Swaraj seeking her immediate intervention on the matter.
