Christian Solidarity Worldwide has expressed concern over a Madras High Court ruling that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders need prior government permission to preach or share their religious beliefs.

A 2021 central government notification first required OCI cardholders to seek permission for any kind of missionary activities. However, in a judgment dated 26 October this year, the court redefined  “missionary activity” more broadly, bringing  preaching within its scope.

The new judgment concerned the case of John Daniel, a US citizen of Indian origin. Authorities cancelled his OCI registration on 4 September 2026, accusing him of holding Christian prayer meetings and preaching in villages in Andhra Pradesh between 2017 and 2019. Daniel denied encouraging conversions. But the court upheld the cancellation and ruled that preaching requires permission whether or not anyone converts or not.

CSW says the ruling raises serious concerns under Article 25 of India’s Constitution, which protects the right to propagate religion. It points to a 1977 Supreme Court judgment, Rev Stanislaus v State of Madhya Pradesh, which recognised that propagation includes spreading religious teachings, as distinct from forced or fraudulent conversion. It says the ruling could also affect OCI cardholders visiting India to attend religious meetings or outreach.

CSW chief executive Scot Bower said the ruling “sets a deeply concerning precedent for freedom of religion or belief in India”. He urged the authorities to uphold constitutional protections regardless of citizenship status.