Posted by: karmapa May 24, 2006
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Amrit Joshi writes above:
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My response to Amrit Joshi: You still believe that crap about 'religious harmony' which you probably learnt from the texts which are a throwback to the Panchayati era? “Religious harmony†is a sham, a smokescreen, a deception. There is no 'religious harmony' in the Hindu state- there is state-sanctioned discrimination based on religion.
You’re reasoning is no different than saying hey let’s reinstate "Hindu" tag on Nepal so that any potential religious conflicts or violence may be averted in future.
It is like saying: "Hey let's reinstate Saddam Hussein (dictator) as President of Iraq because at least under him we didn’t hear about sectarian violence between the Sunnis and Shiites.†What logic!!!
This is the kind of logic that the fundamentalist Hindus put forward to resist change!
Why should we be scared that under "Secular Nepal", there will be BJPIsation of Nepal or religious conflicts? You know what, conflicts sometimes lead to positive changes - they should be welcomed! If "Secular Nepal" is going to open up a can of worms, so be it! Under "loktantra" too there will probably be more conflicts, and surely more demands from the aggrieved/ the marginalized/the discriminated? Does that mean we should do away with "loktantra" too?
Hey Amrit, what's wrong with Christians using money from Europe/North America to convert. It's their money. Their approach is better/more ethical than that of the Hindu state:
You know what the Hindu state does? It collects taxes from peoples of all religions and uses them to subsidize Hindu fundamentalist orgs (Nepal Chapters of Shiva Sena and VHP and thousands of other institutions that have come up like mushroom), Sanskrit Universities, and high school level Sanskrit education (which is probably still compulsory for all Nepali students). Sanksrit: the worst subject I ever took. This is a clear case of the Hindu state practicing discrimination based on religion! Not to mention how much the palace has spent visiting temples and Hindu congregations when the country was bleeding. People are dying, and the palace people are visiting temples. So much of people's money has been misused - and you dare to point fingers at Missionaries?
Re: Christianity, I have nothing against conversion. If people want to convert or be converted, it is their human right. Freedom of religion is a human right - a triumph of 'free will' over ‘determinism’. Why must the Dalits stay Dalits under oppressive/suffocating Nepali Hindu society - i.e. be a victim of determinism? Many are converting: this is liberation. . Not only Dalits. Father Sharmas and Father Upadhyas are preaching Christianity as pastors in churches across Nepal. At least they are not misusing the state money to do what they do best.
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To Matyangro: I'm not worried about what CA decides. The declaration is only a statement of intent. I'm only arguing why "Secular Nepal" makes good sense. I'm saying it is actually good for the Hindus. But they are burying their heads in the sand!
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IMI, you say what SPA did [declaring Nepal a secular state] was undemocratic. I say it was not "undemocratic". What the SPA did was "undo" the undemocratic thing that the King and HIS Chamchas had done to Nepal long ago: i.e. foist the "Hindu tag" on the country in the most undemocratic fashion.
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