Agence France Press
KATHMANDU, NEPAL, January 23, 2004: The World Hindu Federation Friday extended formal Dharmik Avinandan (Hindu religious felicitation) to King Gyanendra as the world’s only Hindu monarch, a WHF source said. According to Nepalese tradition, a Hindu monarch is revered as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the God of protection. Hindu leaders and delegates from 17 countries, including India, the United States, Brazil, Germany and Italy, as well as Buddhist, Jain and Sikh religious representatives attended the function. Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and his cabinet ministers, along with heads of Kathmandu-based diplomatic missions were also present. The felicitation comes at a time when seven Nepalese student unions backed by mainstream political parties are holding debates on whether it is appropriate to continue the monarchy in Nepal in the 21st century.