US Army Major Arrested in India for Evangelizing, "Black Magic"
Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India - Major James Watson, a 58-year-old active-duty US Army officer, was arrested on October 3, 2025, in Bhiwandi, Thane district, Maharashtra, along with two Indian nationals, on charges of illegal religious conversion activities. Watson was detained alongside Sainath Ganpati Sarpe, 42, of Vasai, and Manoj Govind Kolha, 35, of Bhulshet, Chimbipada.
The arrest followed a complaint filed by Ravindra Bhurkut, 27, a local resident, at the Bhiwandi Taluka Police Station. According to Bhurkut's complaint, he witnessed a group preaching Christianity to approximately 30 to 35 villagers outside Kolha's residence around 11:30 AM on Friday, October 3.
Major Watson serves as the executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The unit was reportedly preparing for deployment in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Watson's military credentials include authoring a 2020 article titled "Owning the skies, winning the fight," which discussed emerging threats from unmanned aerial systems.
Watson had entered India on a business visa and was residing at Thane's Hiranandani Estate. Police Inspector Harshavardhan Barve of Bhiwandi Taluka Police Station confirmed that Watson was "misusing his visa for religious activity."
According to the complaint and police statements, Watson and his associates allegedly told villagers that "Hinduism was based on superstition" and claimed that accepting Christianity would bring "happiness, prosperity, and healing from illnesses." Witnesses reported that Watson asked if any children were unwell and placed his hands on their foreheads, claiming to perform divine rituals to cure them. The accused allegedly told villagers that illnesses could be cured not by medicine but by Christian prayers and by drinking wine offered as "prasad."
The three men have been charged under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings and use of words intended to wound religious sentiments), provisions of the Foreigners Act for violating visa norms, and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
Watson was placed in 14-day magistate's custody on October 6, 2025, pending further investigation. As of mid-October, it remained unknown whether Watson had been granted bail.
Local Protestant pastor Mahesh Bhivadi denied the allegations, stating that the gathering was a routine prayer meeting held outside Kolha's house and that
"there was no conversion bid on any person."
Authorities are currently investigating Watson's movements, including how many times he previously visited India, how many villages or individuals he might have attempted to convert, and his network of local contacts in Maharashtra.
The US State Department's involvement in the case, if any, remains unclear. The arrest raises questions about bilateral concerns regarding religious freedom and treatment of US citizens abroad in India.
THE CRUSADERS OPINION
India arrested a US Army Major for holding a prayer meeting.
Major James Watson sits in an Indian jail because he prayed for sick children and told people about Jesus. That's his crime. He's an active-duty officer who used personal time to share Christ with villagers who wanted to hear. India calls it "outraging religious feelings."
Watson told Hindus their religion was based on superstition and Jesus offers real salvation. That's evangelism. Paul did it. The Apostles did it. Every Christian missionary in history has done it. India now calls it criminal.
The charges are absurd. Anti-black magic laws for praying for the sick. Christian prayer equals witchcraft in Hindu nationalist India.
Meanwhile, Hindu groups run "ghar wapsi" campaigns forcibly reconverting Christians and Muslims to Hinduism. No arrests. Churches burn. Pastors get beaten. Mobs attack Christian gatherings. Police watch or participate. But Watson holds a prayer meeting? Jail.
Where is the US State Department? This is an active-duty officer imprisoned by a supposed ally for practicing his faith. America needs to pressure India loudly. Make this cost something.
Major Watson risked everything to share the Gospel. Most American Christians won't cross the street to invite a neighbor to church. He flew to India knowing the risks. Now he's in jail while we sit comfortable.
His courage shames us all.
TAKE ACTION: DEMAND FREEDOM FOR MAJOR JAMES WATSON
US State Department: Contact your Congressional representatives demanding State Department intervention for Major Watson's immediate release
International Christian Concern: https://www.persecution.org
Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com
Alliance Defending Freedom International: https://adfinternational.org
DEMAND:
- Immediate release of Major James Watson
- US diplomatic pressure on India for religious freedom violations
- Repeal of India's discriminatory anti-conversion laws
- Protection for Indian Christians facing persecution
- Accountability for Hindu nationalist violence against Christians
- Investigation into selective enforcement favoring Hindu supremacy
Contact the US Army: Demand the military advocate for their officer imprisoned for peaceful religious activity
Pray for Major Watson, his family, Indian Christians suffering persecution, and India's return to genuine religious freedom. Share his story. Make America and the world aware.
