This is too extreme.
Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya is currently grappling with a significant setback for religious freedom in Nepal, facing a one-year prison sentence after the Supreme Court upheld a previous judgment against him. The pastor is now awaiting the court’s response to his appeal, which seeks to convert the imposed sentence into a fine. ADF International is actively supporting Pastor Keshab’s legal defense, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and highlighting the potential for imprisonment unless the appeal is accepted. Despite the distressing circumstances, Pastor Keshab remains hopeful and calls for international intervention to safeguard religious freedom in Nepal.
The legal challenges arose from an incident in March 2020 when Pastor Keshab was arrested for inviting a man to his home for prayer. This led to charges of “outraging religious feelings” and “proselytizing” under Nepal’s criminal code, carrying penalties like imprisonment and fines. ADF International criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the one-year prison sentence, pointing out violations of basic human rights and lamenting the missed opportunity to establish a positive precedent for religious freedom.
The case gained international attention in 2020 when Pastor Keshab provided spiritual guidance against COVID-19 in a YouTube video. Despite insufficient evidence supporting his innocence, he was convicted, drawing condemnation from entities such as the International Religious Freedom Roundtable and the U.S. Department of State. The misuse of Nepal’s anti-conversion laws has been strongly condemned, and the Christian community in Nepal has faced heightened persecution since 2018.
Pastor Keshab expressed gratitude for the support he has received, acknowledging well-wishers’ prayers and backing. This situation not only reflects the personal challenges faced by Pastor Keshab but also raises broader concerns about religious freedom in Nepal, particularly for individuals practicing minority religions in the country.