The Interim Constitution provides for freedom of religion and permits the practice of all religious groups; however, there are some restrictions.
Before the People's Movement in April 2006, which led to removal of the King and his government, the Commission devised legal and policy arrangements for Dalit rights, made recommendations to implement international conventions to which the country is a party, monitored and coordinated non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on efforts to uplift Dalits, and launched programs on social awareness to end social discrimination and untouchability.
Many foreign Christian organizations had direct ties to local churches and sponsored pastors for religious training abroad.
In 2021, the government continued to permit Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim groups to establish and operate their own schools, although many madrassahs are unregistered.
Although public schools did not teach religion, most had a statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, on their grounds.
A local NGO, the Interreligious Council of Nepal, consisting of representatives of the Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, and Baha'i faiths, was active in promoting peace in the country.
Clause 180 of section 9 of the ‘Bill designed to amend and integrate prevalent laws relating to Criminal Offense’ states that: 1.
If a foreigner is found to have committed the crime as per sub-clause (1) and (2), he/she will have to be sent out of Nepal within seven days of completion of the sentence as per this clause.
Police in Kathmandu prohibited Tibetans celebrating the New Year from carrying pictures of the Dalai Lama around an important Buddhist temple as part of religious ceremonies.
The welfare office previously looked after more than 20,000 Tibetan refugees who left their homeland after the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959.
Some Christian and Muslim groups were concerned that the ban on proselytizing limited the expression of non-Hindu religious belief.
There have been frequent reports alleging that various missionaries and foreign Christian organizations have lured poor people to change their religion by offering them jobs and money.
[5] During the Nepalese Civil War, Maoist insurgents restricted religious freedom in parts of the country.
Members of the Nepal Interreligious Council visited Gorkha and met with religious and district leaders, and the government agreed to reopen the church in February 2007.
It was confirmed by the vice president of Nepal Interreligious Council that Dr. K. B. Rokaya together with others (Ramchandra and Phanindra) visited Gorkha in February 2018.
Rokaya also confirmed that although there was a presence of Interreligious council but was not organized and active at that time and he had led the group on behalf of the NCCN (National Christian Church Nepal) There were scattered reports of Maoist insurgents attacking Hindu temples and harassing Hindu priests.
On 21 September 2005, a group of armed Maoists attacked and vandalized Ramchandra Temple in Muga village of Dhankuta District.
Although at a technical level, the roots of atheism were established by the Communist parties (United Mission league and Maoists), they themselves were more or less influenced by a cultural bias of favoritism to Hinduism.
Observers cite the example Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya of Abundant Harvest Church was sentenced in 2021 to the maximum legal punishment of two years in prison and a fine of 20,000 Nepali rupees after being found guilty of proselytization.
Nepali Buddhist monks are often mistaken for Tibetans, and face harassment and discrimination on account of their distinctive robes.
In 2022, there were still many reports of individuals being arrested, imprisoned and fined during their expression of religious freedom;[7] this was mainly in regard to proselytizing or breaking the law on killing cattle.