The involvement of foreign nationals in evangelical conversions in Bharat has grown as a matter of serious concern, with multiple documented incidents in recent years. These cases reflect a consistent pattern of foreign individuals and groups engaging in religious conversion activities that often violate local laws, disrupt social harmony, and exploit vulnerable populations. The evidence from specific incidents underscores both organized missionary efforts and covert proselytizing, using financial inducements, social service pretexts, and abuse of the visa system to achieve their aims.

Documented Cases Across Bharat

One of the latest cases occurred in October 2025, when American national James Watson was arrested in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, for organizing a religious gathering where derogatory remarks were made about Hindu dharma, coupled with promises of miraculous cures through Christian prayers. Watson and his associates were charged under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for attempting forced conversions. Similarly, in July 2025, US national Schaefer Javin Jacob and a local resident were arrested in Pimpri, Maharashtra, for promising wealth, happiness, and future financial assistance to lure individuals into Christianity. Jacob’s repeated violations of visa norms were also flagged by authorities.​

In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, a foreign national, Stephen Biju Paul, was reported attempting to convert local Hindus by offering material benefits and making derogatory statements about their faith. The police launched an investigation, examining visas and backgrounds of several foreign nationals involved in the incident. In Rajasthan, Joy Mathew, a missionary, and his American son-in-law Colin were accused of targeting the Bhil tribal community with financial aid and promises of international travel, encouraging villagers to discard Hindu idols and switch to Christian practices. Their actions resulted in separate cases under the SC/ST Act and the Foreigners Act.

Geographical Spread and Methods Employed

The reach of these activities is wide, encompassing Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and other regions. In Assam alone, incidents include the deportation of Canadian citizen Brandon Joel Dewalt for conducting evangelical activities on an expired visa, and the penalization of US nationals John Matthew Boone and Michael James Flinchum, who violated tourist visa conditions by preaching Christianity at public events. Similar patterns were observed with seven German nationals delivering religious speeches and three Swedish nationals attending conversion events while on tourist visas. All were fined and deported after police action.​

Other notable cases include Nepali nationals promoting Christianity on public transport in Himachal Pradesh, Brazilian missionaries attempting forced conversion of villagers in Uttar Pradesh, and a South Korean citizen pressuring families in Greater Noida to abandon their religious beliefs for Christianity. These incidents involved offers of financial support, food, housing, and emotional manipulation targeting minors and marginalized groups.​

Abuse of Visa Regulations

A recurring element in these cases is the misuse of tourist and business visas for missionary purposes. Many foreign nationals entered Bharat on visas that prohibit religious activities but proceeded with large-scale proselytization efforts. For instance, Scott Alan Norling, a US citizen, was accused of using his business visa to conduct missionary work in Andhra Pradesh, backed by foreign funding through registered NGOs. Local authorities have responded with deportations, legal complaints, and coordination with foreign embassies to address these violations.​

Socio-Legal Responses

Law enforcement agencies have registered cases under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Foreigners Act, Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, and local anti-conversion laws. In several instances, police detained, fined, or deported offenders, while community organizations intervened to prevent forced conversions. These efforts highlight the need for stricter oversight of visa norms, vigilant community reporting, and robust legal action to deter future violations.​

Conclusion

The growing number of incidents involving foreign nationals in evangelical conversions poses a significant challenge to Bharat’s religious harmony and sovereignty. Documented cases reveal systematic patterns of targeting vulnerable communities, abusing travel permissions, and operating under the guise of charity and social service. Addressing this issue demands coordinated legal, community, and diplomatic measures to protect local cultures and uphold the rule of law.

Source: 17 Incidents: involvement of foreign nationals in evangelical conversions in Bharat (2017-2025)