There is a small, visible Christian community in Nepal, but believers experience opposition from extremists among the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Marxist groups. Christians face false accusations, harassment and beatings from family and communities. They also face opposition from local Hindu nationalists who envision Nepal becoming a ‘pure’ Hindu nation. The government of Nepal is taking an increasingly strong stand against religious conversion.
After someone posted a video online of Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya praying against the spread of coronavirus in 2020, police arrested him for spreading misinformation about the virus, claiming that he told people they would be immune to it if they converted to Christianity.
Investigations revealed other videos recording baptisms of new Christian converts, which further riled authorities. Eventually, the charges included “outraging religious sentiment”, proselytising and other violations of anti-conversion laws.
After three years of legal proceedings and appeals to the highest court in Nepal, Pastor Keshab’s sentence of one year in prison has been upheld. He is currently awaiting the warrant that will be issued for his incarceration.
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