persecution
New ICC Report Explores Nepal’s Growing Hindu Nationalism, Christian Persecution
By commsmanager at International Christian Concern
· June 12, 2026
· 2 min read
Following Nepal’s nearly 200-year ban on Christianity, the faith has experienced steady growth since 1951 as the number of churches, Christian schools, and hospitals has gradually expanded. Despite this growth, Christians only make up about 1.76% of Nepal’s population, while more than 81% of people
Key takeaway Despite this growth, Christians only make up about 1.
Why this matters
The growth of Christianity in Nepal, despite making up only 1.76% of the population, poses a significant challenge to the country's dominant Hindu identity. As Hindu nationalism increases, Christian converts, particularly those from Hindu backgrounds, face severe social consequences, including ostracism and violence. The ICC report highlights the discriminatory application of Nepal's laws, including blasphemy and anti-conversion laws, which are often used to target Christians. The influence of neighboring India's political and ideological trends has also contributed to the rise of anti-Christian sentiment in Nepal. The report's findings suggest that the persecution of Christians in Nepal is not only a matter of religious freedom but also a reflection of the country's struggle to balance its Hindu heritage with the rights of minority groups. As Christian leaders in Nepal continue to advocate for religious freedom, the international community must pay close attention to the developments in this South Asian country.
About this story
Original reporting by International Christian Concern . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit International Christian Concern . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: persecution ·
Published: June 12, 2026 ·
Source: International Christian Concern ·
Reading time: 2 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more Christgiving stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering persecution and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Following Nepal’s nearly 200-year ban on Christianity, the faith has experienced steady growth since 1951 as the number of churches, Christian schools, and hospitals has gradually expanded. Despite this growth, Christians only make up about 1.76% of Nepal’s population, while more than 81% of people
When was this published? This article was first published on June 12, 2026 by International Christian Concern and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by commsmanager at International Christian Concern. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more persecution coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .