Nepal | 16 May 2024
How are Christians persecuted in Nepal?
- Christians in Nepal can face physical attacks and economic pressure, especially if they are new believers.
- Church leaders are frequent targets—they can be beaten, threatened and falsely accused.
“They shouted at me, ‘You are dead to us because you accepted Christ!'”
Joy
- New Christians may be disowned by their families or denied inheritance. One new believer, Joy*, talks of how his parents reacted when he became a Christian: “They angrily told me to get out of the house and they mistreated me. They did not give me food. They shouted at me and told me, ‘You are dead to us because you accepted Christ!’”
- Christian women may face house arrest, starvation and physical violence from family members who attempt to force them to renounce their faith.
- Violence and social exclusion can leave Christian men unable to provide for their families.
- Anti-conversion laws have hindered the church’s growth in Nepal – it can be very risky to convert from Hinduism to Christianity.
- Despite the persecution they face, believers in Nepal are standing firm in their faith. Raju*, a new believer who has faced family pressure and threats from extremists for his new faith, shares, “I never felt like renouncing faith. I know that there is joy and peace in Jesus.”
Why are Christians persecuted in Nepal?
- Christian converts are viewed as those who have left the traditional faith of Nepal and betrayed Nepali identity.
“They placed Hindu flags at our church gate and even attacked the church.”
Raju
- A lot of persecution is driven by Hindu extremists who believe that all Nepali people should be Hindu and that Nepal should return to being an officially Hindu country. These groups have close ties to other Hindu extremist groups in neighbouring India. Raju*, a believer from a Hindu background, shares, “In our village, these groups are very aggressive. They placed Hindu flags at our church gate and even attacked the church, breaking the window glass.”
- 2025 saw massive demonstrations that resulted in the resignation of Nepal’s Prime Minister. The political instability provided cover for an uptick in violence and pressure against Christians. While an interim government has been established, elections set for March 2026 may determine the near future of Nepal. The country’s religious minorities live in an uncertain environment as they wait to see what will happen.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Nepal?
- New believers who have left Hinduism are the most vulnerable, with pressure coming from the local government, Hindu extremists and families.
- Persecution is most severe in rural areas.
What has changed in Nepal in the past year?
- Huge protests in Nepal led to the collapse of the government and the resignation of the Prime Minister. Some Hindu radical groups used the instability to target religious minorities. There were reports of churches being attacked and Christians being beaten, arrested and sentenced to prison. The rise in violence is why Nepal is back in the top 50 of the World Watch List after a three-year absence.
How can I help Christians in Nepal?
- Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Nepal. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Open Doors works through local partners in Nepal to distribute Bibles and Christian literature, provide holistic and biblical training, give socio-economic aid and provide emergency help for believers in need.
please pray
God, we see how the recent instability in Nepal has created an environment where Your people can be attacked. We pray for protection, courage and hope. Above all, we pray that Your peace that surpasses our understanding will take root in Nepal. Please provide the shalom only You can bring to people following Jesus in Nepal. Refresh their spirits and help them see Your mighty hand at work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
