Faith or Deception? Exposing the Evangelical Web Fueling Covert Conversions in Maharashtra

 

In recent years, Maharashtra has witnessed a steady rise in activities linked to evangelical groups allegedly involved in religious conversions, particularly in districts such as Thane, Pune, Solapur, and the tribal belts of Nandurbar and Dhule. Several incidents between 2022 and 2025 have brought this issue into public and political focus, as reports emerged of both Indian and foreign missionaries engaging in covert proselytisation under the guise of charity, education, and social service. The most recent cases in Bhiwandi and Pimpri revealed foreign nationals using tourist and business visas to conduct prayer meetings and promote conversions by promising healing, peace, and prosperity.

 

The following report outlines a series of incidents that occurred between 2015 and 2025, highlighting cases of cultural intrusion and religious conversions carried out by Christian evangelical groups across Maharashtra.

 

 

 

Several incidents point to the active role of foreign missionaries operating under tourist or business visas:

 

Bhiwandi (Thane, October 2025): American national James Watson and two local accomplices were arrested for attempting forced conversions and detaining minors under the pretext of “divine healing.”

 

Pimpri-Chinchwad (Pune, July 2025): Schaefer Javin Jacob, a U.S. citizen, along with an Indian associate, was arrested for promising wealth and peace in exchange for conversion.

 

Solapur (September 2022): Three U.S. nationals — Nathan Tucker, Steven Ray, and Daniel Jordan — were detained for organising mass conversion drives among the Matang community.

 

These cases raise serious concerns about the misuse of visas and foreign funding for religious activities in Bharat.

 

 

 

A number of incidents involved local pastors and evangelists coercing or luring people into Christianity through financial incentives or emotional manipulation:

 

Sangli (June 2025): A pregnant woman named Rutuja took her own life after facing pressure from her in-laws to convert to Christianity.

 

Pune (May 2025): Seven missionaries were arrested in Shirur taluka for insulting Hindu deities and offering inducements to convert a Dalit couple.

 

Baramati (December 2023): Pastor Sunil Jadhav and Prophet Anish Vijagat were accused of targeting poor Hindus during a “Prophetical Meeting.”

 

Pune (January 2023): Fourteen individuals were booked in Markal village for luring locals with financial assistance and promises of prosperity.

 

 

 

Several cases revealed disturbing connections between religious coercion and physical or sexual abuse:

 

Pune (January 2025): Pastor Santosh Gaikwad and his associates were arrested for kidnapping, rape, and forcing a woman to convert.

 

Nashik (February 2023): Four individuals were arrested for gang rape and attempting to convert a Hindu woman and her family.

 

Pune Orphanage (December 2023): Two minors were reportedly subjected to forced conversion and abuse at the Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission.

 

 

 

Some incidents involved subtle proselytisation efforts in schools and other public spaces:

 

Pune (July 2023): The principal of D.Y. Patil School was accused of promoting Christian prayers and secretly installing surveillance cameras.

 

Ahmednagar (December 2022): Staff at a Christian-run school allegedly forced a 14-year-old Sikh boy to cut his hair and renounce his faith.

 

Mumbai (May 2023): A woman was seen questioning train passengers to promote Christianity, leading to a public confrontation.

 

 

Reports indicate that evangelical groups have targeted marginalised communities, particularly tribal populations, through deceit and inducements:

 

Nagpur (September 2022): Twelve tribal minors were rescued from an illegal Christian conversion camp.

 

Dahanu (August 2022): Four missionaries were arrested for coercing a tribal woman to convert by offering her money.

 

Nagpur (2015): Authorities foiled a planned Christian conversion camp for tribal children, leading to the arrest of nine individuals.

 

These documented incidents reveal a consistent pattern of evangelical influence operating under the façade of charity, education, and healing. The misuse of foreign visas, targeting of vulnerable populations, and inducement-based tactics point to a well-organised network that continues to exploit faith and poverty to promote conversion across Maharashtra.