As three Christians shared the gospel on March 23 in Nepal’s Rautahat district, a group of Hindus confronted the believers and dragged them to the police station.

Violence against Nepal’s religious minorities is a growing concern.

Although Nepal’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, it remains illegal to convert someone to another religion. Hindus seeking to make Nepal a purely Hindu nation have also increasingly targeted Christians, especially those who openly share their faith in Jesus.

“In spite of the absence of any substantiated evidence, the police ordered an investigation,” a local Christian who requested anonymity told International Christian Concern (ICC). “These actions make life difficult for these poor Christians.”

Following Nepal’s recent elections, some Christians are cautiously optimistic that the new government will value religious freedom and provide security against threats from extremist groups.