KATMANDU, NEPAL, July 9, 2003: The World Hindu Federation has opposed any move to declare Nepal, a predominantly Hindu nation, a secular state. A country, where 90 percent of its population including Buddhists, Vedic, Jain and Sikhs are the followers of the Arya Sanatan Hindu religion, a secular state is both “ridiculous and against the principles of democracy,” WHF President Bharat Keshar Singh said in a statement here.
A meeting of members of the dissolved House of Representatives adopted an 18-point agenda on Saturday, which said equal status be given to all religions by amending the constitution. However, Nepali Congress spokesman Arjun Narsingh K C denied that the agitating parties have passed any resolution demanding to declare Nepal a secular state. “We have not mentioned the word secularism in our agenda. We have only voiced for treating all the religions in an equal manner. We emphasized on protecting all the religions,” he added.
HPI adds: Nepal is the special target of Christian missionaries, who pour millions of dollars a year into conversion efforts in the country, even though coversion is illegal. The proposal to make Nepal a “secular” state would greatly further their efforts.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike