Why Indian masons are not allowed to join English lodges in India?

Indian masons faced restrictions in joining English lodges primarily due to the colonial attitudes and practices of the time. According to Prescott in his work, there was a reluctance among colonial freemasons in India to allow non-Christians to join their lodges. This reluctance persisted until explicit instructions were issued from London. The prevailing belief was that only Christians could fully appreciate the 'glories of Freemasonry,' which was often declared from the pulpits of churches in Bombay and elsewhere. This exclusivity reflected broader imperial attitudes and a desire to maintain a distinct separation between British and Indian masons, limiting the integration of Indian members into English lodges.

As Prescott notes, 'Indian districts were reluctant to allow non-Christians to join masonic lodges and only did so following explicit instructions from London'【4:1†source】.