KATHMANDU, April 15: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has issued stringent directives to all 77 district administration offices to thwart coerced religion conversions driven by intimidation and extortion.

In response to mounting complaints about such activities across several districts, the ministry has mandated heightened surveillance to forestall any forced religious conversions.

Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the ministry’s spokesperson, disclosed that following numerous grievances regarding forced religious conversions in various districts, a circular was dispatched to reinforce corrective measures.

“We’ve unequivocally declared any form of coercive conversion as unacceptable, be it through intimidation or persuasion,” said Bhattarai.

The ministry’s circular underscores the imperative to halt illicit proselytization by closely monitoring and curbing such activities.

Emphasizing the circular’s alignment with constitutional and legal provisions, spokesperson Bhattarai said, “Every individual holds the right to practice their chosen faith freely. While one may naturally embrace a religion of their liking, inducing conversion through incentives or fear is impermissible.”