ICC note – Nepal, earlier known as ‘the only Hindu Kingdom’ was last week declared to be a secular state.
Nepal Hindus in secular protest
By Charles Haviland
BBC News (5/25/2006) Hindus, who form 80% of the Nepalese population, have been protesting against a parliamentary decision to declare Nepal a secular, rather than a Hindu kingdom. An alliance of local Hindu groups, with some 6,000 marching in protest, has declared a general strike in the area of Birgunj. Last weeks declaration that it be secular has divided opinions between the nations different ethnic groups. The decision to make it secular was welcomed by the tiny Christian body and other indigenous groups. However, the large Hindu population wants to revive the traditional identity of the country as a Hindu kingdom . [Go to the full story]
