In an unexpected development, a video recently surfaced on various social media platforms, showcasing Daniel Stephen Courney, a Christian missionary with an infamous past, broadcasting live from Manipur during the early days of August 2023.

The well-known Legal Rights activist group, "Legal Rights Protection Forum," took to Twitter to voice their concerns. In their tweet, they mentioned having already approached the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Director-General of Police in Assam, and the Manipur Police to express their concerns about Courney’s involvement in proselytization activities in Assam. Drawing from past events, this forum was instrumental in ensuring Courney's deportation and addition to the Indian blacklist in 2017. However, defying the restrictions, Courney seems to have established a base in the neighboring country of Nepal in the subsequent years. From there, it appears he managed to re-enter India, first through Assam and then moving on to Manipur. His purported intent this time was to partake in humanitarian aid, specifically by distributing essential goods like blankets and mattresses.

Delving Deeper: The Daniel Stephen Courney Chronicles

Hailing from New York, USA, Courney has a long-standing reputation for engaging in aggressive proselytization efforts.

A deep dive into a Reddit thread sheds light on Courney's initial journey to India, which commenced on 27th August 2009. His destination was Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, where a pastor friend hosted him. Courney spent several months living in a quaint village here. An interesting piece of advice given to him during this time was the suggestion to marry locally. This, they believed, would pave the way for dual citizenship, giving Courney the freedom to reside in both India and the USA. Following this advice, Courney's marriage was solemnized with Anusha, the niece of his pastor friend. This nugget of information was extracted from a Reddit thread, which was originally sourced from a blog post. Interestingly, this blog post has since been taken down.

Further insights from the same Reddit discussion revealed Courney's stint with the US Army. Serving as a combat medic, he reportedly faced confinement in a psychiatric ward due to excessive "preaching" activities.

Turning to his personal life, Courney's Facebook page portrays him as a doting father to six children. His journey to India is believed to have started on a mere tourist visa. But what was supposed to be a short trip turned into a decade-long stay. During this prolonged stay, Courney reportedly engaged in religious conversion endeavors, mainly targeting the residents of the then Andhra Pradesh state.

Courney’s brushes with the law are also noteworthy. In 2018, he was found guilty on charges related to religious and racial hate crimes. Fast forward to 2021, Courney’s activities took a darker turn. He was implicated in a peculiar case where he allegedly stalked an abortion doctor in Englewood using a drone. This drone, equipped with both a camera and a speaker, was located outside Metropolitan Medical Associates on Engle Street. Courney's pro-life beliefs were well known, and he, along with fellow activists, had made their dissent clear at this location previously. He also went to the extent of preventing individuals from accessing the reproductive health services clinic. This episode culminated in him facing a restriction, prohibiting him from coming within a 25ft radius of the Englewood clinic.

Another incident in 2021 saw Courney, accompanied by two other Christians, charged for violating anti-bias intimidation laws. This transgression involved them "shouting homophobic rhetoric directly in front of Allure Salon" after preaching to the salon owner and an employee, both of whom are openly homosexual.

Delving into Courney’s life during the pandemic, his Facebook page offers a treasure trove of information. He seems to have made Nepal his residence during this global crisis and continued his missionary work zealously.

Courney’s Recent Endeavors in India

Courney’s online presence, specifically on Facebook, provides continuous updates about his activities. During the early part of August 2023, he chronicled his journey, which began with a flight to Assam. With the alleged support of the West Bengal Joint Secretary of the International Human Rights Council, Courney traveled extensively across the North-Eastern territories of India.

On 3rd August 2023, Courney detailed an event on his Facebook page. Accompanied by Mr. M.S. Kumar from Hyderabad, the duo distributed 50 Assamese New Testaments at the bustling Platform No. 6 of the Guwahati Railway Station in Assam.

A couple of days later, on 5th August 2023, Courney was seen in the town of Senapati in Manipur. Here, he broadcasted a live video where he didn't hold back from lambasting the Indian government. In his words, he described it as a ‘Radical Hindu Government’. Moreover, he laid serious accusations against the government, blaming them for acts of violence perpetrated against Christians in the region.

A subsequent post from 10th August 2023 showed Courney appealing to international audiences, seeking financial aid for victims of the unrest in Manipur. His claim was grave, stating that “At least 400 churches were burned to the ground. Hundreds of Christians killed. Countless families witnessed their homes and entire villages being decimated.”

A 13-minute video showcased Courney discussing the "persecution of Kuki tribals," attributing their suffering to their Christian faith. Broadcasting from a village named Senapati in Manipur, Courney delved deep into his beliefs. He made stark claims about the BJP government’s ambitions, suggesting they aim to transform the entire nation into a "Hindustan." He cited instances where he believed 41 villages were obliterated, and churches razed. Courney seemed to genuinely believe that the central government felt threatened by the rapid spread of Christianity, especially in the North East. He emphatically stated, “… they’re attempting to, like I said, to exterminate, to expunge, to curtail the growth of Christianity, the spread of Christianity…”.

This elaborate dive into Daniel Stephen Courney's life and his recent activities in India paints a comprehensive picture, allowing readers to make informed judgments about his actions and motives.

Controversial Claims by Christian Missionary Courney in Manipur: A Detailed Account

Daniel Stephen Courney, already a figure of notoriety due to his previous encounters with Indian authorities, has recently stirred controversy with his broadcast from Senapati in Manipur. His latest address seemed aimed directly at the ruling BJP government and brought into focus the religious dynamics of North-East India, particularly between the Kukis and Meities.

In his broadcast, Courney painted a vivid image of North-East India, particularly Manipur, as a Christian stronghold. He claimed that he had never witnessed such a dense Christian population anywhere in the world. Remarkably, he noted the presence of as many as five churches in a single village, a sight he confessed was unparalleled even in his home country, the United States.

Drawing attention to the indigenous tribes of Manipur, Courney presented a brief history lesson. He spoke of the Kukis, who, according to him, remained Christians, and the Meiteis, who were converted to Hinduism roughly three centuries ago by their monarch. The gist of Courney’s message was clear: The Kukis, under the grace of Christianity and divine blessing, enjoyed prosperity. He juxtaposed this with an image of the Meiteis, who, in his view, harbored jealousy due to the Kukis' affluent lifestyles. Courney went to great lengths to underline this prosperity, citing the Kukis' ownership of modern amenities such as cars, refrigerators, and washing machines. In a surprising comparison, he suggested that the Kukis lived a more opulent life than some segments of the US population.

Conflict's Root Causes According to Courney

In Courney’s perspective, the ongoing tension in the region was not merely a territorial feud but also an existential crisis rooted in identity and faith. He stressed the transformative impact of Christianity on North-East India, noting its rapid spread and dominance. This religious proliferation, he suggested, was a significant cause of concern for the Meitei community, leading to heightened tensions and conflicts.

Direct Allegations Against the Central Government:

Courney did not mince words when addressing the central government's role. He portrayed the ruling BJP party and the Prime Minister as radical Hindu nationalists, aiming to reshape India into a predominantly Hindu nation. Courney accused the BJP of actively and intentionally persecuting Christian and Muslim communities in pursuit of a homogeneous Hindu state. This, he opined, was in direct contravention of the spirit of the Indian constitution.

In one of his most severe allegations, Courney asserted that as many as 400 churches had been torched, a fact he claimed was well-documented online.

While Courney's video and assertions have stirred debate and controversy, it is essential to approach such claims with a critical mindset. Allegations, especially of such a serious nature, should be validated through independent, reliable sources. Only a thorough, unbiased investigation can ascertain the veracity of the claims made by Daniel Stephen Courney.

Courney's narrative is fraught with grave allegations against the ruling government, suggesting religious persecution as the primary driver of violence in the region. His claims extend from witnessing hundreds of displaced Kuki Christians to alleging a calculated effort to target villages and churches due to their faith.

Emphasizing the legitimacy of his claims, Courney asserted that he had verified the alleged events with local sources. Furthermore, he said that these weren't mere hearsay or internet rumors, but information gleaned firsthand from his visits to refugee camps in the area. Courney's insistence on the numbers, particularly his statement about 41 villages in the Kangpokpi district being destroyed due to their Christian faith, stands out as an acute indictment.

Courney's desperate bid to shed light on these incidents is evident from his risk-taking behavior. Despite internet restrictions in the region, Courney managed to go online, lending a voice to what he perceives as a human rights crisis grossly overlooked by the mainstream media.

While Courney maintains that his presence in Manipur revolves around humanitarian assistance, questions arise from the activities of M.S Kumar, the person accompanying him. M.S Kumar's alleged involvement in proselytization activities somewhat clouds Courney's stated objectives.

An undercurrent of uncertainty exists regarding Courney's entry into India, given his previous deportation and the reported blacklist against him.

Legal Concerns Raised by LRPF

The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has delineated specific legal concerns around Courney's actions. They have spotlighted his alleged violation of Indian visa rules, which strictly prohibit foreigners from engaging in religious activities irrespective of their visa type.

The nature of visa permissions in India is categorical. While a tourist visa permits recreational activities like tourism or family visits, it explicitly prohibits business or religious endeavors. Furthermore, even if one possesses a missionary visa, it doesn't provide carte blanche for proselytization activities. Instead, it mandates affiliation with a missionary organization recognized by the Indian government and compliant with the Foreign Contributions Regulatory Act.

LRPF's complaint brings Courney's repeated violations to the fore. Having faced deportation once, Courney's re-entry and subsequent actions are seen by LRPF as a brazen disregard for Indian regulations. Labeling him a "habitual offender," LRPF underscores his inflammatory remarks against the Indian government and alleged incitement of Manipur's populace.

Given his recurrent infractions, LRPF advocates for Courney's permanent blacklisting, suggesting the title of 'Persona non-Grata' to prevent any future re-entries into India.

The saga surrounding Daniel Stephen Courney in Manipur is a complex tapestry of claims, counterclaims, legal nuances, and public sentiment. Amidst these swirling controversies, it becomes pivotal for a clear-eyed, unbiased inquiry into the matter, ensuring that truth prevails and that justice is served in its purest form.