Voice of the Martyrs Canada

Nepal

The land-locked nation of Nepal between China and India was, until 2006, the world's only officially Hindu nation, with 86 percent of the population being Hindu and only 0.6 percent Christian. Today, Christians make up about 1.4 percent of the population while Hindus account for 81 percent, with small minorities of other religions.

Civil unrest in 1990 led to liberalization of government controls, including freedom to profess and practice any religion, but not to evangelize. Despite this official policy, local persecution of Christians continued, particularly for those who shared their faith with Hindus. Those who converted to religions other than Hinduism faced social rejection and the possibility of violence.

In April 2008, Christians welcomed the victory of the Maoist party in elections held for an assembly to rewrite the constitution and make the nation a democratic republic. Many believers saw the Maoist party victory as a step toward greater religious freedom. More recent developments have directly targeted Christians. Conversion to faith in Christianity was criminalized in a 2017 bill. In 2018, the government threatened that anyone changing their religion would face expulsion.

Current Ministry Project
Through training on awareness, advocacy, and the theology of persecution, VOMC is helping to equip church leaders in Nepal to better respond to and withstand persecution.

Project Fund: Equipping the Saints
Country Information
Population
30,899,443 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Chhettri (16.5), Brahman-Hill (11.3), Magar (6.9), Tharu (6.2), Tamang (5.6), Bishwokarma (5), Musalman (4.9), Newar (4.6), Yadav (4.2), Rai (2.2), Pariyar (1.9), Gurung (1.9), Thakuri (1.7), Mijar (1.6), Teli (1.5), Yakthung/Lumbu (1.4), Chamar/Harijan/Ram (1.4), Koiri/Kushwaha (1.2), other (20)

Religion (%)
Hindu (81.2), Buddhist (8.2), Muslim (5.1), Kirat (3.2), Christian (1.8), Other (0.5), Unspecifed (0.2)

Leader
President Rt. Hon. Mr. Ramchandra Paudel (2023)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
English common law and Hindu legal concepts

Source: CIA World Factbook, Office of the President of Nepal
Pray for Nepal
Pray that Christians will practice their faith with courage.

Pray that despite the lack of freedom to share the hope of faith in Christ, the Lord will give Christians opportunities to evangelize.

Nepal News

Christians Harassed for Sharing Their Faith

A church steeple in Nepal.
Photo: Wikipedia / Ramesh Thapa Magar (CC)

While three Christians, including Pastor Dipak Shrestha, were sharing their faith on March 23rd in the remote village of Banjara, Madhesh Province, they were confronted by members of the militant Hindu group, Bajarangi Dal. The aggressors physically assaulted the evangelists before reporting them to the police.

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Appeal Denied for Pastor

Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya
Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

In November 2021, Keshav Raj Acharya, the pastor of the Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal, was convicted of proselytising and, as a result, sentenced to two years in prison. Even though his sentence was reduced to one year upon appeal, Pastor Keshav subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court of Nepal. For more details, read these reports.

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Church Attacked as Part of Growing Trend

A church service in Nepal.
Photo: World Watch Monitor

Two churches in the same town of Nepal's Lumbini Province were attacked during the first four days of September. Reports describing the incident indicate that damage was done to the facilities of both churches, as well as to a motorbike. In one photograph, two men identified as pastors are shown being assaulted on the street. A sticky black substance was smeared on their faces in an act considered a cultural sign of disrespect and hatred.

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Pastor Keshav Released on Bail

Photo: Voice of America

Since March 2020, Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya of the Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal, has faced numerous allegations and charges. Initially charged with spreading false information about COVID-19, the pastor was eventually cleared of all accusations. However, he was later arrested for two cases of "outraging religious feelings." In July 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison. (For more information, click here.)

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