In the heart of Manipur’s simmering ethnic conflict, Daniel Stephen Courney, a 40-year-old American evangelist, has sparked outrage following the release of a video purportedly showing him distributing drones and bulletproof vests to suspected Kuki militants.
Uploaded on his YouTube channel Fool for Christ in March, the footage has triggered a storm of allegations and concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.
Courney, who has spent over a decade in India, is no stranger to controversy.
In the video, he is seen handing over drones purportedly for monitoring “enemy” movements and distributing relief materials, including socks, boots, and bulletproof vests, to Kuki civilians, claiming himself as a US Army veteran.
A preacher’s provocations
Courney’s journey in India began in 2009, shortly after which he married an Indian woman and immersed himself in missionary work.
His street preaching has often raised eyebrows for its intrusive and provocative nature. From bustling streets in Delhi to conflict zones in Chhattisgarh, Courney has consistently sought to compel “sinners” to embrace Christianity.
In a video, he describes India as “the least evangelised country” and urges global Christians to support his efforts to build hospitals, orphanages, and missionary institutions.
His children, whom he often takes along to strife-torn regions like Manipur, have become part of his narrative of “persecution and resilience.”
Courney’s missionary work, however, has often intersected with controversy. His social media posts frequently document his alleged assaults and harassment during his evangelical missions.
In one post, he recounts being attacked with “weapons, chains, fire, and bricks,” vowing never to cease preaching.
Troubled legacy
The evangelist’s controversial activities are not confined to India. In the United States, he was arrested in 2021 for violating a restraining order by filming outside an abortion clinic. Labelled a “troublemaker,” he has been fined and accused of harassment during anti-abortion protests.
Similar incidents have been reported in New York and New Jersey, where his outspoken stance has led to legal entanglements.
In Manipur, his involvement has taken on a darker hue. The ethnic violence between Kuki and Meitei communities has left the region deeply divided. Courney’s actions, including distributing drones allegedly to monitor Meitei Hindus, have raised fears of exacerbating tensions.
His connection to global missionary networks has also drawn scrutiny, with some accusing him of acting at the behest of external interests.
Though the gifting of drones and bulletproof vests is not explicitly illegal, the implications of such acts in a volatile region are profound.
Questions about his motives and whether they align with the US “deep state” conspiracy theories circulated on social media have added layers of intrigue to his activities.
Courney’s work has largely focused on tribal and remote areas, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
In these regions, his missionary zeal and unorthodox methods have drawn both followers and detractors. Critics argue that his intrusive preaching and alleged meddling in communal conflicts undermine India’s social fabric.
Courney’s role in Manipur highlights broader concerns about foreign influences in India’s vulnerable regions.
As the state grapples with violence and displacement, his presence has stirred debates about the ethics and legality of missionary work in conflict zones.
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