Recent cases highlight the vulnerability of minority Christians in the Hindu-majority nations, Christian leaders say.

Christian leaders and activists have sought government intervention for what they called a rising hostility toward the Christian community and demanded safeguarding of the rights of all faith groups during a rally in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. They expressed deep concerns over the systematic injustices against the Christian minority in the country, citing several recent cases.

They also alleged that in recent times the community members have faced a series of attacks including targeted hostility, selective persecution and physical violence, arbitrary arrests and subsequent deportations of faith-based volunteers and medical missionaries. The United Civic Party (UCP), a Christian-based political party, organized the rally at Maitighar in Kathmandu, which drew dozens of members of Christian denominations. The protesters carried banners and posters denouncing anti-Christian purges and called for justice for the attacks. Bidur Adhikari, a leader from the UCP, said that Christians are living in fear of worsening religious freedom and liberties of minorities, and a lack of state will to uphold constitutional rights to freedom of religion or belief.

He said Christians have been forced to take to the streets amid concerns over hatred and violence against Christians, which were repeatedly ignored by the authorities as the community continues to be the target of hate speech. Adhikari said right-wing Hindu groups and their leaders continue to make defamatory remarks against Christians.

Over the past two months, nearly three dozen foreigh Christian missionaries, including volunteers, medical professionals and tourists, have been detained and deported from Nepal after radical Hindus accused them of illegal missionary activities.

Adhikari said the rally on Nov. 5 was the beginning of the UCP’s nationwide movement seeking an end to the anti-Christian campaign, and they are roping other Christian groups in.

“Christians, both local and foreigners visiting Nepal, are facing state surveillance and intimidation. The recent trend of arbitrary arrests, state harassment and subsequent deportations of foreigners damages Nepal’s humanitarian relationship and tourism.”

Sathyadeepam Weekly