Thousands of Sadhus to demonstrate against secularism Kantipur Report KATHMANDU, Feb 7 - World Hindu Federation (WHF) is planning to bring thousands of Hindu Sadhus to Kathmandu to stage protest demonstrations against the government announcement of Nepal as secular state. The WHF's plans, coinciding with one of the greatest Hindu festivals—Shivaratri--has already invited some 30,000 Sadhus to participate in protest programmes demanding the declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state once again. The federation has also decided to stage demonstrations and sit-ins in the capital beginning February 18, a statement issued by the WHF said Tuesday. According to the WHF, some 500-1000 Hindu followers will stage a sit-in until their demands are addressed. Co-ordinator of the promotion committee Anil Bhakta Kharel stated that a religious chariot procession will begin from Birgunj with an aim to bring in all the Hindus from the Terai region into Kathmandu. The government proclaimed Nepal a secular state in mid-May last year after King Gyanendra was forced to give up his absolute power following the Jana Andolan in April. Since then, the monarch has been stripped of most of his powers. The other members of the promotion committee, which is planning to publicize the demonstrations are: Janak Raj Tiwari- Secretary – Buddhijivi Samparka Manch, Govinda Prasad Khatiwada- Chairman- Vihim Narayani, Nirodh Raj Pandey- Janabhawana Weekly, Ramchandra Tiwari- Divya Darshan Weekly, Yashodha Pradhan- People’s Review, Damodar Lal Shrstha- Khantalaash Weekly, Pawan Thapa Kuntal- Hindu Weekly, Hari Lamsal- Rashtravani Weekly, Jyotish Padmabhakt Kharel- Divyachakshu Weekly, Narendra Shrestha- Ajako Kantalaash Daily, Rajan Karki- Editor-Gorkha Express, Ramchandra Neupane- Janasatta Weekly, Shankar Karki- Janakari Weekly, Navraj Pahadi- Antarang Weekly, Sagun Lawati- Shree Ruprekha, Somnath Ghimire- Yug Samvad, Murari Gautam- Rahasya Weekly, Devendra Gautam- Naya Current, Kumar Yatru- Rajdhani Daily, Neemkant Pandey- Janadharana Weekly, Bishnu Prasain- Pratispardha Weekly Journalists Pushpa Pradhan, Bharat Bikram Dhakal, Uttam Timilsena, Tarachand Devkota, Jeevram Bhandari, Gopal Bahadur Kamali, Govind Bahadur Regmi, Surendra Raj Sedhain, Mohan Dhungel, Basu Dahal, Fandindra Nepal, Purna Karki, Bhuwan Sharma, B.N Dahal, Devendra Chudal, Krishna Kashyap and Ramu Gaire. Posted on: 2007-02-07 05:27:08 (Server Time)