Christians arrested amid Hindu extremist/pro-monarchy protests in Kathmandu

Police in Kathmandu, Nepal, held six Christians in custody from 28 March to 1 April after they were arrested, reportedly for their own safety, during violent protests organized by Hindu extremists and pro-monarchy groups in the eastern part of the capital.

Sajan Shrestha, Arjun Doulos, Mani Raj Tamang and Bijaya Karki – all Nepali citizens – and Daniel Stephen Courney and another Latin American citizen Mathaias had been preaching in the Jadibuti area before the protests began, and were apprehended during the demonstrations which resulted in the deaths of two people, including a video journalist, and injuries to over 100 others. Several vehicles and two buildings, including a herbal production and drug processing centre and a government-owned medicine production factory, were also burned by the protesters.

Video journalist Suresh Rajak was killed while filming a video inside a private building that was set on fire by protesters in Tinkune area, the epicentre of the protest. Similarly, hundreds of protesters broke into Bhatbhateni Supermarket, Nepal’s largest grocery shopping mall, and looted a large amount of fruits, alcohol and clothes.

The Nepali government has blamed former King Gyanendra Shah and the pro-monarchy group for the violence.

According to the Nepali police, the Christian activists were arrested while they were preaching. Answering a question from a CSW source, Police Inspector DK Rai said: ‘The area where the Jadibuti medicine production factory was burned down by the protesters was too sensitive for open-air preaching. That’s why we took them into custody for their safety.’

Inspector Rai also suggested that protesters had attempted to throw stones at the Christians during the demonstration.

Following the arrest of the activists, Christian leaders, including Bidur Adhikari, Secretary of Cubic Concern Nepal who is also known as a Christian activist, and Bharat Giri, a Christian activist, appeared of their own volition at Koteshwor Police Station, Kathmandu, where they appealed for their safe and immediate release to avoid hurting the sentiment of the minority faith and religious community.

The activists were not physically harmed during their detention.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘It is concerning to see that these Christians were singled out when it appears they were only minding their business. With Nepal facing a politically tumultuous time, it is unsettling that far right Hindu nationalism, in the guise of support for re-establishing the monarchy, is on the rise and could further erode the right to freedom of religion or belief, particularly for religious minorities. We urge the authorities to ensure that those who indiscriminately attack religious minorities are investigated and prosecuted. We also call on the government to ensure that whichever political outcome Nepal faces, the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld and protected.’

Note to Editors:

1. The Joint People’s Movement Committee for the Restoration of Monarchy, led by former minister and pro-monarchy leader Nawaraj Subedi, has been demanding the reinstatement of the Hindu state of Nepal and its monarchy for several months. Christian groups, independent civil society and several political parties in Nepal have expressed concern that these calls have now been raised in parliament, violating the modern constitution of the federal republic of Nepal.