3 US citizens served notices for proselytising on tourist visas in India

Pune – Three American citizens who entered India on tourist visas have been issued notices after being found allegedly engaging in the spread of Christianity and attempting religious conversions in Pune. The police have directed them to leave the country by 10 May for violating visa regulations.

Under the Indian law, foreign nationals on tourist visas are strictly prohibited from undertaking religious propaganda or conversion-related activities. Officials further noted that the individuals had made multiple visits to India in the past, alternating between tourist and business visas, raising concerns about a possible pattern of misuse of visa categories to carry out religious conversion.

🚨 Strict Action Needed

Pune: Notices issued to 3 US Nationals for attempting religious conversions in India while on tourist visas.

Merely sending such foreign preachers back is not enough; they should face a permanent entry ban.

To dismantle these covert conversion networks,… pic.twitter.com/wAPzeWd4Cv

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 29, 2026

The matter came to light on 27 April in the Shukravar Peth area of Pune, where the trio reportedly approached a local driver, handed him a copy of the Bible along with pamphlets, and attempted to persuade him by claiming the superiority of Christianity over other religions. The pamphlets were printed in Marathi, Hindi, and English. The driver alerted a nearby police personnel, who detained the individuals and took them to the Special Branch for questioning. During interrogation, they reportedly admitted to engaging in religious promotions.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Foreigners Registration Office), Sandeep Bhajibhakare, stated that this is not an isolated case. In July 2025, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police had arrested a 41-year-old American national who was allegedly attempting religious conversions by offering financial inducements. Investigations revealed that he had been visiting India since 2016 on tourist and business visas but was not engaged in any legitimate business activity; instead, involved in promoting Christian ideology.

Editorial Perspective

Instead of just sending them back to their own country, they should be permanently barred from entering India, and the government must take strict action to dismantle this covert network of conversions.