On February 7, authorities in Nepal launched an investigation into 17 US nationals and one Indian citizen for allegedly engaging in illegal religious conversions of Hindus under the guise of social work. According to media reports, authorities have confiscated their passports, and the Nepal Immigration Department is evaluating potential legal actions, including the possibility of deportation.
Small Country, Huge Balls!
BREAKING: Nepal Police have arrested 16 Americans and 1 Indian national for attempting to convert local Hindus in the garb of volunteer work.
On January 5, the Americans arrived in Dharan to allegedly build a community center but were caught… pic.twitter.com/MMMi0SocZa
— Treeni (@treeni) February 8, 2025
The individuals detained have been identified as Ryan Matthew Carter, Silas Daniel Fox, Russell Thomas Howells, Rose Bryan Howells, Mark Alan Summers, Matthew Bryan Kennedy, Patrick Irvin Summers, Duane Michael Godling, Benjamin Ward Kaufmann, Bryan Ward Kaufmann, Dylan Jackson Bonzo, Kathleen Sue Moore, Dawson Andrew Carter, James Nathan Austin, William Raymond Viviano Jr., Kenneth David Gray, and James Ray Murphy III. Additionally, Basant Lama, an Indian national from West Bengal, is also named in the investigation.
The individuals are believed to have entered Nepal on tourist visas and were volunteering to build a structure for the Prerana Kalyankari Society in Dharan, Sunsari. However, it is alleged that their real intent was to use this opportunity as a cover for converting locals to Christianity. Nepal has stringent laws that prohibit religious conversions, and authorities suspect that the accused misused their tourist visas to carry out these covert activities.
Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, the Chief District Officer of Sunsari, confirmed that the accused individuals were detained and questioned by authorities. In a statement to the media, he said, “As their visa period has not expired, we have forwarded the case to the Immigration Department for further action.” He also mentioned that if the accused are found guilty of breaching Nepal’s religious and immigration laws, they will face strict legal consequences.
The arrested individuals were initially held at the District Police Office in Sunsari before their documents were forwarded to the Immigration Department for further review. Authorities confirmed that they entered Nepal on 15-day tourist visas. If found guilty of violating regulations, they could face deportation and entry bans under the Immigration Act of 1992.
Nepal maintains a strict stance against forced religious conversions, as enshrined in its Constitution. Article 26(2) of the Nepalese Constitution explicitly prohibits any activities aimed at converting others or disrupting religious harmony, ensuring legal repercussions for those who violate these provisions. This reinforces the country’s dedication to preserving its cultural and religious identity.
Christian conversions in Nepal have been increasing at an alarming rate. A report by BBC, titled “Christian Missionaries Target Birthplace of Buddha in Nepal,” highlighted the significant role of South Korean evangelists in this rise. The Christian population in Nepal has surged by approximately 68% in less than a decade. According to the 2011 census, there were 376,000 Christians in Nepal, and the number has since grown to around 545,000. The latest census reports a Christian population of 512,313, which is close to the estimated figure.
Nepal, a predominantly Hindu country with a rich cultural and religious heritage, has long maintained a strict stance against forced religious conversions. This is enshrined in the country’s Constitution, which explicitly prohibits the promotion or activities aimed at converting individuals from one religion to another, as outlined in Article 26(2). The law reflects Nepal’s commitment to preserving its traditional values and preventing religious conflict in a nation where Hinduism is the dominant religion, and Buddhism and other belief systems also hold significant cultural importance.
