When gathering to pray can cost water and electricity: the pressure on Christians in Bhutan

Religious persecution does not always take the form of physical violence. In some countries, pressure on Christians manifests itself through legal obstacles, administrative restrictions or difficulties in having spaces to practice their faith. Bhutan is one of the least known examples.

The Asian country, with a Buddhist majority, is ranked 34th on the 2026 World Persecution List prepared by Open Doors. Although the Constitution recognizes religious freedom, Christian communities encounter significant difficulties in registering and publicly carrying out their activities.

One of the most striking cases is that of pastor Rajen Tamang. In 2023, he requested authorization to use a room in his home as a place of worship for thirty Christians. The petition was rejected on the grounds that Christianity was not officially recognized in the country. Due to the lack of other spaces, Sunday meetings began to be held in the basement of the house.

In October 2024, municipal authorities first interrupted the building’s water supply and then its electricity supply. According to the story collected by the local newspaper The Bhutanese, the measure was linked to the holding of religious meetings considered unauthorized. Other families that were affected also lived in the property.

The conflict reached the courts and the court subsequently ordered the restoration of both services. However, the case revealed a broader reality: when a community cannot officially register its places of worship, even a religious gathering inside a home can become an administrative problem.

In Bhutan, persecution does not always make noise. Sometimes it comes in the form of a locked door, a denied permit, or literally a building without water or electricity.