NEW DELHI, INDIA, June 11, 2006: The Shankaracharya of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, has deplored the declaration of Nepal as a secular state and said the neighboring country will be “ruined” if Hinduism is divorced from its administrative set-up. “Hindutva is the soul of Nepal. It has been a Hindu Rashtra (nation) since its evolution. None can save it from destruction if Hinduism and Hindu culture is removed from the country’s administrative set-up. The only way to save Nepal is the promotion of Hindu Dharma, otherwise it will be ruined,” the pontiff was quoted as saying in the latest issue of the “Organiser.” Criticising India’s stand on the matter, he said it was “suicidal” for New Delhi to remain mum on the issue. “The Indian Government is cutting its own leg with its own axe. We should not keep our fingers crossed while our cousins are suffering in Nepal. The Hindus of India must come forward to protect them. The Government should create international pressure to uphold Hinduism in the Himalayan Kingdom. If Nepal goes out of hand, Hindus will have no other alternative land for them,” the Seer said. Puri is considered one of the holiest mutts established by Adi Shankara. The Shankaracharya is perhaps the seniormost Hindu religious leader to have spoken out against the recent Nepal Parliament declaration making the kingdom a secular state. He, however, did not comment on the monarchy in the neighboring country losing its absolute powers.
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