Local levels in Madhes working to establish peace after Malangwa incident, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht 27/09/2023)

In Pictures: Solidarity march held in Kathmandu against cow slaughter, by Rajib Khatri (rep 09/09/2023) [But respect and tolerance are not a one-way road! The call for a return to the Hindu state hurts the values and feelings of all those people in the multi-religious state, some of whom suffer great disadvantages by linking the state to the values and practices of the Hindu religion!]

Surviving a dangerous neighbourhood : Blowing with the ill winds since 2014, the spectre of ‘neo-Hindutva’ has begun to haunt Nepal, by CK Lal (kp 30/08/2023), Assessing Nepal’s Future Conflict Trends, by Rajendra Bahadur Singh (rep 30/08/2023)

Religious Harmony Key To Peace, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 29/08/2023) [Provocative acts of this kind are reprehensible, but they happen from both sides. Things that violate the values of the Khas Arya are always loudly denounced. But what about the brutal but usually unpunished crimes against Dalits, mostly perpetrated by Khas Arya? One of the biggest provocations in terms of cultural diversity and tolerance, for example, is the demand for a return to the Hindu state by radical Khas Arya. Such a demand, as put forward especially by the extremist RPP, deeply offends Janajatis, Dalits, Muslims and also women in general, i.e. probably more than half of the population! Tolerance and harmony remain a beautiful dream as long as the state and the national identity are exclusively oriented towards the values of the male Khas Arya!]

Experts raise concerns over rapid spread of BJP-led Hindutva politics in Nepal (rep), Rising Intolerance against Dalits in Nepal, by Hari Prasad Shrestha (rep 27/07/2023)

Is secularism under threat? Dahal’s journey from Mahakaleshwar to Pashupatinath, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 12/06/2023)

Durga Prasai forwards 11 points demands, urges abolition of republicanism, federalism (kh 28/02/2023) [If the CPN (UML) does not distance itself from this Hindu fundamentalism and Prasai's unconstitutional demands and underlines that Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural secular state, the rule of law attitude of this party must be doubted! The failures of the high-caste male politicians, which primarily include the chairman of the CPN (UML), must not be used as an excuse to question the few hard-won democratic achievements!]

Ruffling on Religion: Mission or Fashion?, by Atindra Dahal (rep) [A lot of palaver by this male Bahun, but no discernible rationale why in multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Nepal the state should be linked again solely to Hindu culture, religion and social thinking after only a few years of interruption. Discriminatory casteism, patriarchy and the sense of superiority of men from a few Hindu castes have been responsible for the exclusion of the majority of people and discrimination against large sections of the population for centuries and continue to this day. Hindu state and monarchy have been responsible for these aberrations long enough. Why should Nepal return to the mistakes of the past again? The combination of state and religion has never paid off positively anywhere in history.]

The pedagogy of spiritual secularity : Secularism is necessary to secure the fundamental freedoms of the downtrodden, by CK Lal (kp 20/07/2022)

Secularism is at a crossroads in Nepal : Anti-secular voices demanding a return to Nepal’s character as a Hindu state are on the rise but they ignore the larger danger to Hinduism – Hindutva, by Krishna Man Rai (rec 13/06/2022) [The combination of Hinduism and politics is a prominent reason for the non-inclusive state. The country's ruling elite has chosen its religion and culture as the basis of national identity. But Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural state. Secularism is one of the most important achievements of Jana Andolan II. That it has not been developed and nurtured is the fault of the ruling elite, which is almost exclusively male Tagadharis. These men alone are responsible for the poor state of democracy, federalism and secularism in Nepal. Send them into retirement at last!]

President to donate to sadhus, ascetics (ht 28/02/2022) [Nepal is still not a secular state!]

Secularism and sectarianism : Nepal is not yet secular. We still have a long way to go, by Indra Adhikari (nt 24/12/2021)

What if… there was a referendum on Hindu state?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 09/12/2021)

How Hindu state idea is trying to gain ground in Nepal : Analysts say it is not easy to undo the achievements  guaranteed by the constitution, but threats remain, by Anil Giri (kp 22/08/2021)

Indigenous people worry hard-won gains may be lost : Achievements made since 1990 are at risk as secularism and federalism are yet to be institutionalised and recent court ruling is another challenge, activists say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 09/08/2021) [The traditional elite, especially male Bahuns, continue to control the country, prevent social inclusion and the development of federalism and secularism, and constantly demand that the wheel of time be turned back instead, e.g. Ganga Thapa, Rabindra Mishra, KP Oli, Shashanka Koirala, etc.], BSP Chair’s Dangerous Proposal, by Mukunda Raj Kattel (rn 09/08/2021)

In defence of secularism : A forgotten incident from the Panchayat era tells us why we must protect minority religions, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp 06/08/02021)

Referendum on secularism? 10 public intellectuals weigh in, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 05/08/2021) [It is shocking to read how many intellectual Nepali Hindus define Nepal exclusively as a state of their own. Nepal is a multi-religious and multi-cultural state. Such a state should not identify itself with one culture and religion. This creates discontent among those who cannot identify with a Hindu state and fuels conflict, as one can learn from Nepali history. It is not about using a referendum to prove that there are more Hindus living in Nepal than members of other cultures. The state must give all inhabitants a possibility of identification, and this only works in a secular state. Linking state identification with a particular religion is poison! Overcoming this grievance has been one of the greatest achievements of recent years. The fact that the ruling elite, all high-caste male Hindus by the way, have not developed this ideal further, probably quite deliberately, is no reason to return to the failed state identification of the male Hindu elite.]

Oli’s aversion to federalism and secularism becoming more apparent : A proposal at UML top panel to review major achievements of the constitution does not portend well for the charter which has come under increasing threats, observers say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 05/07/2021)

Saffronisation of the body politic : Oli wants to be the republican inheritor of Hindu rule, by mingling royalist yellow with Marxist-Leninist red, by CK Lal (kp 23/06/2021)

Is Secularism Applicable in Nepal? Even though the concept of secularism is accepted in our politics, the Nepali society is deeply religious and Nepalis guard their religious rights as well as religious identities. Therefore the contexts of other countries like the American or European secularism may not be fit here in Nepal because of its diversity, by Prakash Chandra Giri (rep 29/05/2021) [A partly contradictory article that mixes people's religiosity and piety with the separation of religion and politics and the one-sided national identification with Hindu culture. Strangely, the author does not even mention Buddhism by name.]

52% Nepalis support declaring Nepal a Hindu state: Nationwide survey, by Shree Ram Subedi (rep 30/03/2021) [This little opinion poll was not a political election. In a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious state like Nepal, one cannot link state identification with any one of these cultures and religions. Otherwise, we will have the same situation that has existed for centuries and is the cause of many of today's serious social problems. Even according to the opinion poll, more than 40 per cent would obviously feel discriminated against. Only a secular and socially inclusive state suits Nepal, but the country is still miles away from that! Why at all is the Hindu state brought into play in this otherwise purely politically oriented opinion poll?]

Secular stagnation : Ways to push ahead for Nepal, by Sumit Pathak (ht 11/0372021)

Temptations of saffron secularity and hybrid democracy : The political call for a Hindu Rashtra poses a mortal threat to the very idea of an inclusive Nepal, by CK Lal (kp 17/02/2021)

No Ram to Nepal’s rescue: In this time of crisis, Nepal needed a strong and trustworthy leader, and PM Oli doesn’t fit the bill (ae 14/08/2020)

Conversion check: Although Nepali law prohibits conversion and such activities are punishable by law, conversion is happening and some are even advocating in its favor, by Umesh Bhattarai (rep 30/12/2019)

Nepali leaders find India's BJP bigwigs advocating Hindu state 'insulting' (rep 31/07/2019)

Dance of democracy: Considering that Nepal only recently adopted secularism, that too without broad consensus across the political spectrum, political discourse is expected to shift to Hindu State, by Manjeet Mishra (rep 05/06/2019) [What a flathead! Hindu politics is destructive for Nepal and for India as well! Hinduism is only a partial identity of the multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multicultural state of Nepal and has been abused as a basis of identity for centuries!]

Blindness of insight: The amalgamation of Oli-path and Aditya-path will be the undoing of secularism in Nepal, by Dinesh Kafle (kp 26/04/2019)

14 RPP leaders held from Shanti Batika (ht 20/04/2019) [The action of this tiny party initiated by Kamal Tapa was a grave militant aggression against the secular foundations of multireligious and multicultural modern Nepal Thapa should be arrested as well!]

Gearing towards a Hindu republic: Perceived lack of good governance from the secular republic means the conversation is moving back to notions of a Hindu state, by Achyut Wagle (kp 16/04/2019)

Saffronization of Congress: The liberals, moderates and youth leaders in Congress must safeguard their party against the communal, sectarian allure of right wing Hindutva ideology, by Chhering Yonzon (rep 07/01/2019)

Call for restoration of hindu state (kp 17/12/2018) [NC showing its true anti-secular face by denying Nepal's multiethnic, multreligious and multicultural identity], NC leaders in fix as calls for Hindu state grow (rep 18/12/2018) [Such a party would no longer be entitled to represent the people of multi-ethnic and multi-religious Nepal!]

Unholy and unsecular: Using state coffers and machineries for promotion of a particular religious organization is against the spirit of secularism enshrined in our constitution, by David Kainee (rep 16/12/2018)

Cashing Secularism With Prosperity, by Prem Khatry (rn 04/12/2018)

Saving secularism: Our secular republic aspires to reflect the pluralistic reality of the plains, hills and mountains. This should be nurtured, by Chhering Yonzon (rep 13/11/2018)

Secularism in Nepal And India, by Jivesh Jha (rn 31/03/2018)

Not secular: The government seems to have forgotten that it is bound  to protect an individual’s rights to have a religion, by Lokmani Dhakal and David Anderson (kp 29/10/2017)

The golden age of the gospel: A secular Nepal sees a surge in conversions to Christianity by evangelical groups, by Om Astha Rai (nt 25/08/2017) [includes the article Fake secularism, by Dambar Chemjong]

Two yogis, two countries: Yogis Naraharinath and Adityanath have been active in politics in Nepal and India, by Prakash A Raj (kp 04/07/2017)

Wisdom of experience: Nepal should learn from the mistakes made by nation-states with a specific religious identity, by Pramod Mishra (kp 30/03/2017)

Mixing religion and politics: Some Nepali politicians and parties have been emboldened by the election result in India, by Jagannath Adhikari (kp 29/03/2017)

Khadka calls for referendum (kp 27/03/2017) [There has already been referendums in form of Jana Andolan II and the CA elections!!], Khadka seeks referendum for Hindu state (rep 27/03/2017)

Saffron extension: Characters like Modi and Yogi have risen as the contemporary faces of ‘extended’ orientalism, by Achyut Wagle (kp 27/03/2017)

Saffron surge: Nepal’s secularist republicans are now getting nervous that India will do a U-turn, by Om Astha Rai (nt 24/03/2017), Southerly Wind (nt 24/03/2017)

Political Imbroglio: A Gordian Knot?, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 23/03/2017)

EC Takes Wind Out Of RPP’s Sails, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 22/03/2017)

RPP members clash with cops, dozens hurt: Party is protesting against EC move of removing ‘Hindu state’ and ‘monarchy’ from its statute (kp 21/03/2017), Kantipath turns tense as RPP cadres clash with police (rep 21/03/2017), Shifting winds: Nepal’s Hindu supporters may be eyeing a rebound with leftists in India at a low ebb, by Prakash A. Raj (kp 21/03/2017)

RPP registers amendment proposal demanding Hindu state (ht 19/03/2017), Commission defends decision to reject RPP agendas (kp 20/03/2017) [The EC will probably not have the right to change party statutes, but according to article 269 it has the duty not to allow parties with such anti-constitutional and anti-national goals! In view of growing Hindu fundamentalism in Nepal's immediate neighbourhood, the RPP-Nepal means a real danger!!], Political Hinduism: For Nepal, there’s much to be wary of the Hindu cleric in UP’s new chief minister (kp 20/03/2017), Stung by EC, RPP registers constitution amendment proposal: Proposes ‘Hindu state with complete religious freedom’, instead of secularism (kp 20/03/2017)

EC removes Hindu state, monarchy from RPP’s statute (ht 18/03/2017) [The correct way would have been not to register anti-national parties like the RPP-Nepal that stand aginst the fundamental principals of Nepali state and society and try to disturb social harmony!!], EC removes 'Hindu state', 'monarchy' from RPP's statute, by Bhadra (rep 18/03/2017), Election Commission robbed us of our soul, says Kamal Thapa (ht 18/03/2017), EC move can ruin poll environment: Thapa; Objects to removal of ‘Hindu state’, ‘monarchy’ from his party statute, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 19/03/2017)

DPM Thapa advocates for reinstatement of Hindu state: RPP ministers are advocating for a Hindu state though the constitution has declared Nepal a secular country (kp 16/03/2017) [This antinational politician is trying to destroy social harmony in Nepal! He must be dismissed immediately! Why is he not treated like CK Raut?]

RPP unity convention will go for reinstating monarchy: Thapa; Thapa, who backed consti-tutional monarchy even after it was abolished, hails king as the pillar of national independence and unity (kp 12/02/2017) [Such demands are anti-national and destroy social harmony in the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural state of Nepal where many social groups have suffered under royal politics for centuries!], We embrace Hindutwa as the backbone of the Nepali polity, interview with Kamal Thapa (kp 13/02/2017) [In other words: Let's return to the non-inclusive and authoritarian Nepal that belongs to the male minority of some so called high castes! This man respresents one of the greatest dangers for Nepal's future!], RPP jamboree to decide on monarchy, federalism (kp 15/02/2017)

Christian population shoots up under secular state, by Ram Saran Tamang (rep 09/12/2016)

Faith and politics: Are we going back to times when religion and political power were complementary?, by Sujeev Shakya (kp 06/12/2016)

RPP-N chair Thapa revives issue of Hindu state (kp 01/09/2016) [Kamal Thapa is sowing the seeds of unrest and another civil war in the multiethnic, multireligious, multicultural, multilingual and secular republic of Nepal and should be prosecuted for this anticonstitutional demand!!], Nepalgunj tense after pro-hindu, pro-monarch supporters put up late King Birendra's statue (kp01/09/2016) [!!], Nepalgunj tense over statue dispute (kp 02/09/2016), Nepalgunj tense after removal of Birendra's statue, by Arjun Oli (rep 03/09/2016)

RPP-N’s amendment proposal seeks monarchy along with Hindu state (ht 04/09/2015)