Religious freedom groups have expressed concern after reports that the Vice President of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged Nepali leaders to outlaw religious conversion. Bhagat Singh Koshiyari reportedly spoke to senior leaders including Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Chairman of Maoist party Pushpa Kamal Dahal, claiming that Western countries had been promoting proselytising in Nepal since it was declared a secular state in 2008. Koshiyari called for an immediate stop to religious conversions, particularly from Hinduism to Christianity, Christian Solidarity Worldwide's CEO Mervin Thomas expressed concern that Nepali leaders were being persuaded to exclude the rights of the people to freedom of religion in the new constitution of Nepal. In the past, Christians faced persecution and harassment from both the government and society, but have experienced a period of calm in the last few years. According to OM, Nepal has the fastest-growing Christian church in Asia. Hinduism remains the major religion with over 80% of the population.