Seven people were arrested on June 9 in Nepal, east of Kathmandu. The principals of Mount Valley School and Modern Nepal School as well as teachers from Teach Nepal were arrested for engaging in religious activities. These seven people are accused of teaching Bible stories to school children and distributing religious tracks, which falls under the term ‘proselytizing’. The two school principals and five teachers have been arrested and are being held in police custody. If they are found guilty they will likely be sentenced to six years of imprisonment.
Nepal was the only Hindu nation in world until May 2006 when the House of Representatives declared Nepal a secular country. The truth is that Nepal has always struggled with religious freedom. The Nepal constitution of 2015, article 25(3) states, “While exercising the right as provided by this Article, no person shall act or make others act in a manner which is contrary to public health, decency and morality, or behave or act or make others act to disturb public law and order, or convert a person of one religion to another religion, or disturb the religion of other people. Such an act shall be punishable by law.”
Reverend Philemon Chetri, a board member of All Nepal Christian Organization met with Devi, principal of St. Devi’s Academy, to ask if she police had visited her school. They have not but be cautioned her to be careful. Many Christian organizations and institutions are currently under government surveillance.
Please pray for God’s protection of St. Devi’s Academy.