Home Ministry wakes up to Tabligh event- THE HINDU-02-04-2020

Details:

As many as 360 foreigners were deported from Delhi in 2018-19 for reportedly indulging in “missionary activities” while they were here on a tourist visa, a senior Home Ministry official has said. Any conference/event application is routed through an Indian mission abroad and without the Home Ministry’s permission, the event cannot happen and participants are not issued visas. According to a Home Ministry statement, some 2,100 foreigners visited India for Tabligh programmes since January 1 this year. State Police would be examining categories of visas of all these foreign TJ workers and take further action in case of violation of visa conditions,” the Ministry said.

On Wednesday, Cabinet Secretray Rajiv Gauba asked Directors- General of Police to initiate “action” against the foreigners and the organisers of the event as the “foreigners who had participated in the Tablighi Jamaat had violated visa conditions”

The Ministry is apparently set to blacklist the 824 foreign Tablighi members who came here on a tourist visa and “participated” in religious congregations and meetings.

The Tabligh position:

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Tablighi Jamaat said. on March 23, 2020 till March 31, 2020, thereby further diminishing any chances of these visitors availing road transport for their journey back home. “Suddenly on the evening of March 23, a further nationwide lockdown was announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister with clear message for people to stay-put wherever they are. “During this entire episode, Markaz Nizamuddin never violated any provision of law, and always tried to act with compassion and reason towards the visitors who came to Delhi from different states.