This incident underscores a broader pattern of foreign nationals being apprehended in Assam for violating visa regulations by participating in religious activities without the appropriate permissions. In October 2022, the Assam government intensified its efforts against unauthorized religious conversions, leading to the detention and deportation of 27 foreigners, including 17 Bangladeshis, three Swedish nationals, and seven Germans. These individuals were found preaching religion in violation of their visa terms.
Special Director General of Police , G.P. Singh, emphasized that district superintendents have been instructed to monitor locations where foreign visitors are involved in religious activities. He stated, "We have directed SPs of all districts to keep tabs on places—wherever such religious activities are taking place—where visiting foreigners are participating and whether they have the appropriate visas." Singh further clarified that even those holding missionary visas are prohibited from engaging in conversion activities, noting, "The SPs have been instructed to ensure that under no circumstance can a foreigner take part in religious conversion activities, even if the person is carrying a missionary visa."
India's visa regulations are explicit in this regard. While missionary visas are granted to individuals whose primary purpose is missionary work, these visas do not permit proselytization. Foreign nationals on any visa type, including Overseas Citizen of India cardholders, are prohibited from engaging in "tabligh work," which encompasses preaching religious ideologies, making speeches in religious places, distributing religious pamphlets, and promoting conversions. The guidelines specify that while visiting religious sites and attending regular religious activities are allowed, active involvement in conversion efforts is not.
The recent deportation of the Canadian national aligns with Assam's ongoing measures to prevent unauthorized religious activities by foreign visitors. In a similar vein, in February 2024, two U.S. citizens were detained in Tezpur, Assam, for participating in religious gatherings in violation of their visa conditions. They were fined and faced potential deportation.
These actions reflect the state's commitment to enforcing visa regulations and maintaining religious harmony. Authorities have been vigilant in identifying and addressing instances where foreign nationals misuse their visa privileges to engage in unauthorized religious activities.
The Assam government has made it clear that it will not tolerate any breach of visa conditions, especially those related to religious activities. The directive to district police officials to monitor such activities underscores the administration's resolve to uphold the law and prevent any attempts at unauthorized religious conversions by foreign nationals.