Nepali Christian leaders condemn a lawmaker’s conversion allegations as baseless, urging removal from parliament records to protect harmony.
Newsroom (01/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Nepali Christian leaders have issued a strong condemnation of remarks made by a prominent Hindu nationalist lawmaker who accused Christian missionaries of exploiting poverty to drive religious conversions. The leaders have described the allegations as “baseless and derogatory,” urging that the statement be formally removed from parliamentary records to safeguard religious harmony.
The controversy stems from comments made on May 26 by Khusbu Oli, chief whip of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), during a session of the House of Representatives, Nepal’s lower house of parliament. Oli alleged that, under the guise of secularism, missionaries were rapidly converting poor and marginalized communities, questioning whether the government was ignoring the issue.
Christian leaders were quick to reject the claims. Father Silas Bogati, apostolic administrator of the Vicariate of Nepal, dismissed the allegations as “totally misleading and wrong.” Speaking on June 1, he emphasized that Christian organizations in Nepal focus on humanitarian service rather than religious conversion.
“We help those in need, but not for conversion,” Bogati said, underscoring that faith is a matter of individual choice. “Conversion is one’s choice and freedom and cannot be forced or coerced in any form.”
According to Bogati, the Christian community contributes to Nepali society through a broad range of initiatives, including health care, education, social work, and disaster management. These efforts, he stressed, are driven by service rather than proselytization.
The remarks have sparked wider concern among Christian activists and community leaders, who warn that such statements risk deepening social divisions. Many argue that Oli’s comments not only stigmatize Christians but could also incite intolerance in a country that has constitutionally embraced secularism.
Nepal, a nation of around 30 million people, officially recognizes religious freedom. While the 2021 census recorded approximately 512,313 Christians, church leaders estimate the figure to be closer to 3 million, reflecting rapid growth in recent decades.
In a joint statement issued on May 29, the Nepal Christian Society and the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal called for Oli’s remarks to be struck from parliamentary records. They described the statements as “irresponsible” and a direct challenge to the foundations of Nepal’s secular and democratic system.
Bidur Adhikari, a Christian leader from the United Citizens Party, echoed those concerns. He stated that parliament should serve as a platform for constructive dialogue rather than unsubstantiated accusations.
“Parliament is a forum for constructive debate on national issues and not a platform for making unsubstantiated allegations that demonize citizens exercising their constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief,” Adhikari said.
He further emphasized that elected representatives must not misuse parliamentary privilege and urged the government to address any legitimate concerns through evidence-based processes and the rule of law.
Nepal’s legal framework already includes provisions to protect religious harmony. The country’s penal code criminalizes deliberate acts that insult or harm the beliefs of any community. Despite this, debates around religious conversion remain politically charged.
The RPP, a party advocating for the reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu state under a constitutional monarchy, has consistently pushed for stricter regulations on conversion. The party and allied conservative groups argue that foreign-funded missionaries exploit vulnerable populations — a claim Christian leaders firmly deny.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in Nepal’s evolving identity as a secular republic, a status established by the 2015 constitution after centuries as a Hindu kingdom. As the nation balances religious freedom with social cohesion, the latest controversy underscores the fragile nature of interfaith relations.
Christian leaders insist that safeguarding harmony requires responsible political discourse — and, in this case, accountability for words spoken at the highest levels of government.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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