India Orders Three U.S. Nationals to Leave Over Alleged Visa Violations Linked to Religious Activity

India has ordered three American nationals to leave the country after allegations of religious evangelization in Pune, sparking debate over visa rules and religious freedom.

Newsroom (30/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Indian authorities have ordered three American nationals to leave the country after they were accused of engaging in religious evangelization while on tourist visas, an activity prohibited under Indian immigration regulations.

The individuals — identified as James Hudson (65), Frantz Thomas (53), and Gary Jean (64) — were taken into custody by police in Pune, a major city in the western state of Maharashtra, on April 27. Officials clarified that while the trio was detained for questioning, they were not formally arrested. Instead, they have been instructed to depart India before May 10.

Allegations and Police Action

The case originated from a complaint filed by a local taxi driver hired by the Americans. According to the driver, the three men distributed pamphlets promoting the Christian faith in Marathi, Hindi, and English, and attempted to persuade him to convert.

Pune police reported recovering a “large quantity” of religious pamphlets from the group. The matter was subsequently referred to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO), which determined that the individuals had violated the terms of their tourist visas.

“People visiting India on tourist visas are prohibited from engaging in religious preaching, missionary work, or related activities,” said Sandeep Bhajibhakare, a deputy commissioner of police in Pune, in comments cited by NDTV. Authorities stated that the expulsion order was based on this regulatory breach.

Debate Over Religious Freedom

The incident has sparked criticism from some Christian leaders and civil society activists, who argue that the response may be disproportionate and could affect perceptions of India’s commitment to religious tolerance.

Church representatives described the action as “unwarranted,” warning that it “may give a negative impression of India as an intolerant nation.”

Melwyn Fernandes, a Mumbai-based Catholic activist and secretary of the Association of Concerned Christians (ACC), questioned the justification for the expulsion. Speaking on April 30, he emphasized that India’s constitutional identity as a secular, socialist, and democratic nation should extend protections to all individuals, including foreign visitors.

“Even if the US nationals distributed some pamphlets related to their religion, it does not amount to any such crime that warrants their forceful exit from the country,” Fernandes said.

Broader Concerns and Context

Other activists echoed similar concerns. Yogita Borker, a Mumbai-based social activist, argued that distributing religious literature should not be treated as a deportable offense.

“The police action amounts to harassment as the foreigners did not commit any criminal offense or indulge in suspicious activity that could have created a law-and-order problem,” she said.

Fernandes also invoked the Indian philosophical concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — meaning “the world is one family” — to stress the country’s tradition of inclusivity.

Pattern of Enforcement

The case reflects a broader trend observed over the past decade, during which several foreign nationals — including Americans and Europeans — have been expelled from India for activities such as preaching, distributing religious material, or participating in prayer gatherings.

Many such incidents have occurred in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where enforcement of visa regulations related to religious activities has been particularly stringent.

While authorities maintain that these actions are grounded in legal compliance, critics argue they raise ongoing questions about the balance between regulatory enforcement and the protection of religious expression.

• Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News

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