Foreign National Expelled for Religious Conversion Activities

Jorhat, Assam: A Canadian national involved in proselytization activities in Assam’s Jorhat district has been deported from India, authorities confirmed on Friday. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was sent back to his home country via New Delhi after an official order from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Kolkata.

Visa Violation and Proselytization Activities

According to Jorhat Superintendent of Police (SP) Shwetank Mishra, the foreign national had been visiting the district since 2021 on a valid visa. However, his visa expired on January 17, 2024, and during the renewal verification process, authorities discovered his involvement in religious conversion activities.

"We found that he was engaged in proselytization, which is a violation of visa norms. An adverse report was sent to the FRRO in Kolkata, leading to a 'Leave India Notice' being issued against him," SP Mishra stated.

Legal Action and Deportation

Following the issuance of the 'Leave India Notice', Jorhat Police formally served the notice to the Canadian citizen and took steps to ensure its enforcement. "To ensure compliance, our personnel escorted him to Kolkata, where he was handed over to the FRRO earlier this week," Mishra added.

After completing the necessary deportation formalities, the individual was sent back to Canada from New Delhi. Authorities have not provided further details on whether he had violated any other legal provisions during his stay in India.

Increased Scrutiny on Visa Violations

The case highlights India’s strict stance on visa violations, particularly concerning foreign nationals engaged in religious conversions. Several incidents of foreigners misusing tourist or business visas for proselytization have been reported in different parts of the country, leading to deportations and blacklisting from future entry.

Authorities have urged foreign visitors to adhere to Indian visa regulations strictly and refrain from engaging in unauthorized religious or political activities.

With the rising number of visa-related violations, Indian authorities continue to monitor foreign nationals closely, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. The deportation of the Canadian citizen from Jorhat serves as a strong warning against misuse of visas for religious activities in India.