KATHMANDU, Aug 17: The debate over Nepal’s secular identity surfaced sharply within the Nepali Congress (NC) camp led by former president Sher Bahadur Deuba on Sunday, after a section of prominent leaders pushed to include the agenda of a Vedic Sanatan state in the gathering’s conclusions.
The issue triggered a heated exchange on stage, exposing differences within the faction aligned with Deuba, who returned home a few days ago after spending nearly five and a half months abroad for medical treatment in Singapore and Hong Kong. Deuba was physically assaulted during last year’s Gen Z protests, which also left his Budhanilkantha residence completely burned down.
NC leader Shankar Bhandari, a prominent campaigner for a constitutional Hindu state, urged Deuba to state his position on Sanatan Dharma. Deuba responded by emphasizing that he is a Hindu but stopped short of endorsing a Hindu state.
“My Bratabandha [sacred-thread ceremony] and marriage were conducted according to Hindu traditions. I visit temples. I worship Pashupatinath,” Deuba said. “Therefore, I am a Hindu, a Hindu, a Hindu.”
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Deuba said he wanted Nepal to remain secular but added that the people’s wishes should ultimately prevail. He also stressed that identifying himself as a Hindu did not mean he opposed other religions.
The controversy escalated when conference emcee Dipak Kuinkel read an initial five-point conclusion stating that the gathering would protect Hinduism, Buddhism, Kirat and nature-based religions while linking Sanatan Dharma and culture with national identity.
Senior leader Bimalendra Nidhi immediately objected, arguing that the provision could conflict with Article 4(1) of the Constitution, which defines Nepal as a secular state. He attempted to amend the provision but was escorted back to his seat by several leaders, including Bhandari.
Bhandari defended the provision as a historic development, saying attempts to stop the agenda of restoring Nepal as a Hindu state would not succeed. He also accused unnamed foreign powers of exerting undue influence to turn Nepal into a secular state during the constitution-drafting process.
The Hindu-state reference, however, was removed from the final 20-point conclusions. The final document instead calls for strengthening the constitutional freedom of all religions and religious communities while promoting social harmony and religious-cultural tolerance.
Leader Meen Bishwakarma said the five-point document had been read out prematurely and that the religion-related provision had been inserted forcibly. He said the revised 20-point document was the final version.
Analysts say the episode nevertheless exposes a growing ideological fault line within the Deuba camp over religion, secularism and the political agenda associated with a constitutional monarchy.
The three-day national gathering organized by the Deuba-Shekhar Koirala faction of the NC concluded on Sunday, with the faction reaffirming its position against the leadership elected by the Special General Convention under Gagan Thapa in January. It focused on the party’s official status, internal democracy and constitutional procedures, while insisting that the 15th General Convention be held under Deuba’s leadership. Dr Shashank Koirala has been assigned responsibility for preparations.
