Supplied: International Christian Concern.
Christian persecution in Nepal is rising sharply as Hindu nationalist influence grows across the country, according to a new report from International Christian Concern (ICC). The organisation warns that Nepal’s fragile religious freedoms are being eroded by political pressure, social hostility, and the spread of anti‑conversion sentiment.
Although Nepal’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, ICC says the reality on the ground is shifting. The report highlights a pattern of arrests, intimidation, and legal threats against pastors and Christian workers, often under the guise of “anti‑conversion” enforcement. These laws, introduced in 2017, criminalise any activity perceived as encouraging religious change — a definition critics say is so broad it effectively targets Christian ministry.
ICC notes that Hindu nationalist groups, inspired by movements in neighbouring India, have gained influence in Nepal’s political landscape. Their messaging frames Christianity as a foreign threat and pressures local authorities to “protect” Hindu identity. This has led to increased surveillance of churches, restrictions on gatherings, and a climate where accusations alone can trigger police action.
The report cites several recent cases, including pastors detained without evidence, churches threatened with closure, and Christian families ostracised in rural communities. While none of these incidents have made international headlines, ICC argues they form a clear pattern: Nepal is drifting toward a more hostile environment for religious minorities.
Nepal’s Christian community — estimated at around one million people — has grown steadily since the country opened to missionaries in the mid‑20th century. That growth, ICC says, has made Christians a visible target for nationalist rhetoric.
The organisation is calling on Nepal’s government to uphold its constitutional commitments and ensure that anti‑conversion laws are not used to suppress legitimate religious practice. It also urges international partners to monitor the situation closely.
For now, Nepal’s Christians continue to worship under increasing pressure, navigating a legal and social landscape that is becoming more uncertain by the year.
