New Delhi (NVI): In the wake of controversial Tableeghi gathering at Nizamuddin shrine, India today warned foreigners travelling here on tourist visas against indulging in religious activities, as authorities started hunting for those who attended the congregation despite lockdown.
The Union Home Ministry said if any foreigner on tourist visa is found indulging in religious activity, he/she will be treated as a visa violator.
The Ministry, in a statement, said strict action will be taken against foreigners who attended the Nizamuddin Markaz event in Delhi, in case they are found guilty of violating visa rules.
“Usually, all the foreign nationals visiting India as a part of Tabligh team come on the strength of tourist visa. MHA had already issued guidelines that they should not indulge in missionary work on tourist visa. 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 in a statement.
The government’s action came after it was found that a large Tableegi congregation had taken place at Nizamuddin shrine and many people got infected with coronavirus there.
At least six people from Telangana, who attended the congregation, died due to coronavirus.
Apart from that, the government has also banned tourist visas to Tableegi activists from abroad. No foreigner coming on tourist visa will now be allowed to conduct Tableegi activities.
Moving forward in this direction, MHA has also asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to seeks details of Tableegi activists who apply for visa. These would include their details of accommodation in India, return ticket and finance.
Tableeghi Jamaat workers, both foreigners as well Indians, indulge in Tabligh activities (Chilla) across the country throughout the year, MHA said in a statement.
Various nationals, particularly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan come for Tabligh activities, it said.
All such foreign nationals normally report their arrival at Tabligh Markaz at Banglewali Mosque in Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi. From here, they are detailed for Chilla activities to different parts of the country.
The Ministry also said that approximately 2100 foreigners had visited India for Tabligh activities from January 1 onwards this year.
“While approximately 824 of them, as on March 21, were dispersed in different parts of the country, approximately 216 of them were staying at Nizamuddin Markaz. Others might have left the country before the lockdown,” it added.
