The 10-day Hornbill Festival, organised by the Government of Nagaland, was supposed to have had a special guest this year. The festival, which concludes on December 10, was set to welcome American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham as chief guest on December 1, when he was denied visa by the Indian government.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for its refusal to honour a renowned public figure, who was scheduled to visit Nagaland after over 50 years of his father Billy Graham’s visit to Kohima.

Rio took to his official X profile, saying, “While we are saddened that Rev. Franklin Graham could not join as his travel documents & clearance couldn’t be obtained on time, we warmly welcome Rev. Robert Cunville of @BGEA (Bill Graham Evangelist Association) & his team, who has faithfully carried the Gospel across India bringing hope, healing & transformation.”

Spiritual leaders from different denominations such as The Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum had come together to welcome Franklin Graham on his historic visit, when they were informed that the Christian evangelist’s trip was cancelled on account of ‘visa-related circumstances beyond their control’.

Nagaland officials have strongly condemned the central government move.

Franklin, the president and CEO of both the Billy Graham Evangelist Association and the relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse, had said in his autobiography ‘Rebel With A Cause’: “Just being the son of Billy Graham won’t get me into heaven.”

Through his work with Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin had helped people affected by several global crises such as the Ukraine war, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, 9/11 terrorist attacks, and natural disasters ranging from hurricanes to wildfires to massive earthquakes. – editor@nrifocus.com