From Charity to Conversion: How Foreign Nationals Are Fuelling Evangelical Campaigns Across Bharat

 

In recent years, Bharat has witnessed a steady and alarming rise in cases of religious conversions involving foreign nationals engaged in evangelical activities. Records indicate the greatest participation of individuals from the United States and South Korea, along with others from Malaysia, Sweden, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Nepal, and Taiwan.

 

Many of these individuals have entered Bharat under the pretext of humanitarian, educational, or healthcare missions, and in some cases, even as part of business trips. However, investigations and ground reports have revealed that several were engaged in covert evangelism, particularly targeting vulnerable sections of society in rural, tribal, and economically backward regions.

 

There is no single region under such influence; cities and towns across the nation have become focal points for these activities, where economic deprivation and lack of education make local populations susceptible to inducements in the name of faith. Funding channels from international missionary organisations and NGOs have further fuelled this phenomenon, often bypassing Bharat’s regulatory frameworks.

 

The following report discusses documented cases of evangelical and religious conversion activities involving foreign nationals across Bharat from 2017 to 2025.

 

 

Bhiwandi, Thane (October 2025): An American national, James Watson (58), along with two locals, Ganpati Sarpe and Manoj Govind Kolha, organised a religious gathering where derogatory remarks were made about Hinduism. Conversion to Christianity was promoted through false healing claims. Books and religious materials were seized. The trio was arrested under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

 

Pimpri (July 2025): Schaefer Javin Jacob (USA), along with Steven Kadam (Pimpri), attempted to convert a local resident by promising happiness, peace, and wealth. Investigations revealed that Jacob had been misusing tourist and business visas since 2016. He was arrested under Section 299 of the BNS and the Foreigners Act.

 

 

Indore, Madhya Pradesh (June 2025): Stephen Biju Paul, accompanied by other foreign nationals, attempted conversions at Malhar Mega Mall by offering money and “holy water.” Police are investigating the matter for visa violations.

 

Kota, Rajasthan (April 2025): In Motipura village, missionary Joy Mathew and his American son-in-law Colin were accused of converting Bhil tribals by offering money, food, and travel promises. FIR No. 158/2025 was registered under Sections 299 and 351(2) of the BNS and the SC/ST Act, along with violations of the Foreigners Act.

 

 

Jorhat, Assam (February 2025): Canadian national Brandon Joel Dewalt was deported for running a church and engaging in proselytisation while on an expired visa.

 

Tezpur, Assam (February 2024): Two American nationals, John Matthew Boone and Michael James Flinchum, were fined for preaching Christianity at a public event while on tourist visas.

 

Kaziranga and Naharkatia, Assam (October 2022): A group of seven German nationals and three Swedish nationals were detained for preaching at public gatherings. They were deported after paying fines.

 

 

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh (September 2024): A Taiwanese national and 12 others were detained for holding conversion meetings in Indrapuri Colony.

 

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh (December 2020): South Korean national Mu Cu Lee and three Indian accomplices were arrested for pressuring families to convert by offering financial incentives.

 

Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh (December 2022): A Brazilian couple and their Indian hosts were caught attempting forced conversions in Sehbajpur village.

 

Rampur Bushahar, Himachal Pradesh (July 2023): Eleven individuals, including Nepali nationals, were arrested for promoting Christianity and distributing Bibles on public buses.

 

Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh (September 2017): Seven foreign nationals from South Korea and Malaysia were detained for nighttime proselytisation in local neighbourhoods.

 

 

Guntur, Andhra Pradesh (July 2022): Scott Alan Norling (USA), co-founder of Bethel Bible College, was accused of conducting conversion operations using foreign NGO funding in violation of visa rules and FCRA norms.

 

Hyderabad, Telangana (January 2023): Nicholas James Vujicic (Australia/USA), a well-known motivational speaker, was booked for proselytising during a university event while on a non-religious visa.

 

Tirtol, Odisha (June 2023): Canadian national Eapen Mohan Kidangalil was caught luring poor tribal children, including 11 minors, to convert through a “Prarthana Sabha.” He was booked under the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967.

 

 

Manipur (August 2023): American national Daniel Stephen Courney, who had been previously deported, re-entered Bharat and was found spreading anti-Hindu propaganda in refugee camps while distributing Bibles.

 

Between 2017 and 2025, foreign missionary interference in Bharat has evolved from isolated incidents into an organised, transnational challenge. The repeated misuse of visas, inducement-based conversions, and targeted campaigns against Hindu traditions reveal a deeply coordinated network. These foreign-funded evangelical efforts exploit Bharat’s socio-economic vulnerabilities to expand ideological and demographic influence, and the cases mentioned above are only a small glimpse into this growing menace.