Nepal: Outburst of anti-Christian violence in May

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Nepal | 08 June 2018

In the period 9-11 May 2018, four churches were attacked in various locations in Nepal, according to The Gospel Herald reporting on 22 May 2018. Three were set on fire and a bomb exploded in a fourth. In the same period, six Christians were arrested for evangelizing. Christian leaders in Nepal suspect a coordinated campaign by Hindu militants. Rolf Zeegers, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, finds these developments in Nepal disturbing: "In past years, only a few violent incidents against Christians were reported. Now, all of sudden, we see a spike of attacks on churches and arrests of Christians in Nepal. It is too early yet to say whether this is the start of a trend for the coming months and years. However, if the perpetrators are really radical Hindus as local Christians believe, then Hindus in Nepal are clearly being inspired by their comrades in India, who attack Christians with virtual impunity in their country. It is to be hoped that the Nepalese authorities will not follow Indian policy in such cases and allow the violence to continue unchecked."