Nepal: Pastor arrested for a second time

Nepal | 31 May 2020

On 14 May 2020, the website "Nepal Church" reported that Pastor Keshav Acharya of the Prasast Katni Church in Pokhara was arrested for a second time on 13 May 2020 shortly after being released by the Kaski District Court. Pastor Acharya is allegedly being accused of spreading false rumors, namely that Jesus Christ can cure Corona virus infection.‚ Nepal Church reported: "(T)his incident confirms the unjust treatment meted out by the state to all minorities and especially to Nepali Christians. Such discriminatory action by the Kaski police administration is highly regrettable and reprehensible. As all the cases against Keshav Acharya are based on prejudice, we appeal to the Government of Nepal to immediately investigate and take action against the intolerance, prejudice and torture committed by the civil servants."‚ Rolf Zeegers, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "This second arrest may well be a result of anti-conversion legislation that was passed in parliament in 2015. Nepal may not be a copy of India in all respects, but the re-arresting of Pastor Acharya would seem to indicate that the effects of increasing Hindu radicalism are becoming more visible."