Nagaland Congress slams Centre over ‘selective’ PAP relaxation, calls move discriminatory

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Sunday accused the Union Home Ministry of practising “selective secularism” and alleged that the Centre’s last-minute relaxation of Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime for Hornbill Festival exposes political bias and religious discrimination.

In a statement, the NPCC said that the easing of PAP requirements for tourists while continuing to bar American evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham reflects the “discriminatory agenda” of the BJP-led government.

The party described the move as a “cosmetic concession” and claimed that it highlighted the misuse of state machinery for “religious exclusion.”

Also read: Nagaland: Centre lifts PAP for 10 days to boost Hornbill Festival tourism

Franklin Graham’s visit to Nagaland cancelled

According to the NPCC, the latest developments reveal two key issues: first, that PAP is being used as a “political tool” rather than a security measure, and second, that the refusal to lift restrictions on Rev. Graham—despite appeals from Nagaland’s own NDA ally—amounts to a “blatant sign of disrespect” to the people of the state.

It alleged that the Centre’s stance demonstrated “contempt for the Christian faith” and amounted to a “deliberate slap in the face to every citizen of Nagaland.”