Instances of preachers entering India on tourist visas and subsequently participating in religious activities persistently come to light across the country. Moreover, these individuals who illicitly undertake proselytization endeavours and propagate animosity, particularly targeted towards the Hindu community in India.

Amid the ongoing unrest in the state of Manipur, a notable case has emerged involving a Christian missionary named Daniel Stephen Courney, a US national. Courney, who had been deported and blacklisted from India in 2017, recently entered the country on a tourist visa. He was reportedly engaged in proselytization activities in Manipur, conducting these activities under the guise of social service by distributing blankets and mattresses while simultaneously propagating Christianity. His actions also extended to the distribution of Bibles and delivering hate speech targeting Hindus and the BJP-led Indian government.

As outlined by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, foreign nationals entering India on Tourist Visas are prohibited from engaging in religious propagation. The incident gained attention when Courney posted a live video on Facebook from Manipur on August 5th, where he alleged persecution of Christians and deliberate targeting of the community. He claimed that tribal Christians, particularly the Kuki community, were facing systematic persecution, with villages being burned due to their Christian identity.

In the live video, Courney referred to the Indian government as a "radical Hindu government," accusing it of fueling violence against Christians. He contended that efforts were being made to suppress the growth of Christianity in the region, predominantly inhabited by Christians. He further praised the Kuki community and blamed the conflict on jealousy between the Meitei Hindus and the Kuki Christians, residing in different parts of the state.

Courney alleged that the ongoing turmoil in Manipur was driven by an identity crisis rather than just a land dispute. He pointed fingers at the BJP and Prime Minister Modi, accusing them of targeting Christians and Muslims in India intentionally.

Additionally, Courney expressed opinions on India's Constitution, claiming that Article 25 allowed the propagation of faith. He cited instances of burnt churches and displaced Kuki families as evidence of the situation's gravity. Courney's actions included visiting various villages in Manipur to preach Christianity and reportedly influencing people against Hinduism while performing social service.

According to information obtained by OpIndia, Courney's activities spread disbelief and animosity against the Indian government among refugees. A video surfaced where Courney could be seen delivering a hate speech against Hindus and sowing distrust against the Indian government under the pretext of preaching Christianity.

“The Hindus many times tried to kill me for preaching about Jesus. They put ropes around my neck. They beat me with sticks. They threw me on the ground and stepped on my head. They say you must say Jai Shri Ram or else we’ll kill you. And I said I will not wear tika (kumkum on forehead), I will not praise your God. They hit me in my face as I refused to say, Jai Shri Ram. I am Christian. I follow Jesus. Once they hit me so hard that I fell unconscious for 15 minutes. The Government of India might not help you but Lord will,” he said.

The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a legal rights activists' group from Telangana, has alerted the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the matter. They called for stringent action against the US national, who is a repeat offender and allegedly engages in Christian evangelist activities. LRPF's letter, dated August 14, revealed that the US national frequently enters India for such activities from Nepal, where he currently resides.

Image source: CNN