In Bhutan, a country ranking 34nd on the 2026 World Watch List, Christians face hurdles to openly practice their faith. A recent case involves Pastor Rajen, who filed a lawsuit after municipal authorities cut water and electricity to the building used for Christian services. According to The Bhutanese, the pastor sought permission to use a room in his home as a worship space; the request was denied in July 2023 because Christianity is not officially recognized in Bhutan.
Since starting construction on his house, Rajen asked for authorization to hold services for about 30 Christians he discipled, using the basement as a meeting place since there are no state-recognized churches. In September 2024, nearly a year after the initial denial, he completed the work and held Sunday gatherings with local Christians, still without official authorization, which remained pending. In the following month, municipal authorities first cut water supply and then electricity, stating that service restoration would depend on the cessation of religious meetings at the site.
Legal action for religious freedom The disruption affected not only the pastor’s family but also tenants in the same building. Faced with the situation, Rajen filed a lawsuit against the local administration, defending his right to religious freedom. Authorities suspect he is involved in manipulated conversions through incentives, but the Christian leader denies the accusations, asserting that he merely exercises his faith in line with constitutional rights. Since there are no officially recognized church buildings in Bhutan, many worship gatherings are deemed illegal, reflecting broader restrictions faced by Christians in various regions.
Rajen’s case highlights the broader challenges for Christian communities that often must meet discreetly to avoid legal issues, underscoring the need for ongoing support to keep such communities steadfast amid pressure and discrimination.
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