This is kinda long but worth a read ------------------------------------------- 'Secular Nepal' finds itself in the eye of controversy In a bid to appease minorities, the seven party alliance is likely to end up offending the Hindu majority By Pratibedan Baidya Last Thursday, within hours of the reinstated House of Representatives (HoR) proclaiming curtailment of royal powers and bringing the army under the purview of the parliament, among others, victory rallies were carried out across the country. But the proclamation of the HoR to declare Nepal a secular country are likely to ruffle many feathers over the long period of time. Some Hindu groups took to the streets in the southern town of Birgunj on Monday denouncing the parliament's decision to turn the world's only Hindu kingdom into a secular state. They also demanded that the country be declared a Hindu kingdom once again. Despite being a predominantly Hindu kingdom, Nepal is known for religious harmony and tolerance across the world. Even when communal riots were spread in its neighbourhood in India—in the aftermath of the demolition of the Babri mosque by a group of Hindu fundamentalists in Ayodhya in the nineties—Nepal remained calm and peaceful. Talking to Nepalnews, Chintamani Yogi, Principal of Hindu Vidyapeeth—Nepal (HVP-N) said that the need of the hour is to ensure safe landing of the Maoist insurgency. "We should not extend support to the King unnecessarily in the name of 'Hindu rastra' (Hindu nation) but he cautioned that the parliament's decision to declare Nepal as a secular state could give chances for the regressive to unite under the banner of Hinduism. "At a time when we are facing burning socio-economic and constitutional problems, it seems as if we are applying wrong medication to a place where there was no need for it," he added. Yogi further cautioned that Missionary activities could flare up in the days to come in the aftermath of Nepal being declared a secular state and age-old harmony among various religious groups within the country could be endangered. "Muslim brothers sell bangles to Hindu sisters in front of Krishna temple in Lalitpur. Such a harmony might be destroyed if we try to politicize religious matters," he warned. The decision of the Nepali parliament to declare the country as a secular state has offended pro-Hindu political forces in India. India's main opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BPJ), 'regretted' the recent development "Nepal's Hindu identity has nothing to do with the monarchy. The Nepali parliament should not have omitted that word. There are over 50 countries in the world who proudly call themselves as Islamic Republic," reports quoted BJP leader V K Malhotra as saying. Sociologist Dr. Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan, however, describes the decision historic saying that the decision to announce Nepal as a secular state has ended the fear of violence due to the religion. "All religious communities-- except some Hindus who were misusing state fund in the name of Hinduism—have hailed the decision, as now onwards there will be equality among all religions," he added. Dr. Bhattachan said that since all major political forces in the country were in favour of secularism, it would also help in resolving the conflict in the country. "The declaration should be implemented properly and there should not be discrimination in the name of religion. If some people try to protest the decision, people will punish them," he warned. The CPN (Maoist) has, right from the beginning, has been advocating for a secular Nepal. Analysts say the Maoist policy seems to have been driven from the fact that majority of its guerrillas come from the dalit and ethnic communities, who have age-old grievances towards high-caste Hindus. In his book, "Towards a Democratic Nepal" published last year, scholar Mahendra Lawoti argues that the source of racism and sexism in the (1990) constitution of Nepal is the declaration of the state as Hindu. Articles 11.2 and 11.3 state that the Constitution is against discrimination based on religion, yet, Article 4 explicitly declared Nepal as a Hindu state. "The declaration of the state as Hindu provides sustenance and support to the discriminating traditions and values and contributes in the continuation of the social and legal discriminations," Lawoti wrote. Minority communities in Nepal have hailed the HoR proclamation terming it as a bold step. Dr. K. B. Rokaya, General Secretary of National Council of Churches of Nepal—a representative body of all Churches in the country—said the proclamation was positive, adding, "There should be religious freedom in the country and people should have opportunity to adopt any religion they prefer." "Muslim brothers sell bangles to Hindu sisters in front of Krishna temple in Lalitpur. Such a harmony might be destroyed if we try to politicize religious matters." - Chintamani Yogi, HVP-Nepal "India is a secular country but there are limitations in exercising religious freedom. Secularism alone will not resolve the problem. Hence, focus should be given to the religious freedom," said Rokaya, who is also the vice-president of Inter Religious Council Nepal, a representative body of all religions in the country. Rokaya alleged that some religious groups were posing threats to the nationality and national identity, so the government should set up a Ministry of Religious Affairs or Department of Religious Affairs to regulate and coordinate among different religious groups. Hindu leaders are, however, furious and blame the SPA of betraying the country. Bharat Keshar Simha, chairman of World Hindu Federation (WHF), said that the decision was illegal and a conspiracy against the country. Simha-- who had advocated an active role for monarchy and claimed that Hindu King was above the law—said the decision was taken by a handful of people and would not acceptable to all the Nepalis. "If political parties are convinced that the state should be declared secular, they should have courage to go for a referendum and get people's mandate rather than making a proclamation in an illegal way," he added. "The declaration of the state as Hindu provides sustenance and support to the discriminating traditions and values and contributes in the continuation of the social and legal discriminations." - Mahendra Lawoti, scholar Simha further said that WHF would organize various protest programmes against the decision and would also take to the street to protest what he called the "unconstitutional declaration" of the House of Representatives. Swami Dhruba—a Kathmandu-based Hindu preacher-- said that this was a very wrong decision on part of the reinstated House. "Majority Hindus have never created problems for people belonging to other religions while Nepal was a Hindu kingdom. Secularism might bring various problems in the country," he warned. Swami Dhruba disclosed that various Hindu groups were currently holding meetings and were in direct touch with Hindu religious leaders of India to chart out future strategies. "We will not remain silent and continue to expose the policy of appeasement," he warned. nepalnews.com May 24 06 Have your say ! (Registration required) http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/others/feature/may/news_feature07.php