Nepali Lawmaker Kirankumar Sah Calls for Nepal to Become a Hindu State
Kathmandu, Nepal – Kirankumar Sah, a member of the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, has called for an amendment to the constitution to make Nepal a Hindu state. Sah made this demand in the lower house of the federal parliament on Thursday.
It is unusual for a lawmaker from a communist party to advocate for a Hindu state. Sah argued that the secularism adopted by Nepal’s Constitution of 2072 has failed to give the country a respectful position in the world. He also claimed that secularism was a reason for Nepal’s loss in the election for the World Health Organization’s (South Asia) Regional Director’s Election.
“When Nepal was a Hindu state, in 1969 and 1988 it became the elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council; it shows the position of Nepal in the international arena. But we made the nation a secular state, today when we file candidacy for the World Health Organization we lose. Did we make Nepal a secular state to see these days? We ruined the identity of the nation by claiming more stake for the food, shelter and clothes but we still are not able to fulfil those demands,” Sah said.
He further highlighted issues such as youth migration, economic decline, and the failure to meet basic needs. “Nepali youths are forcefully going abroad to fulfil the basic requirements of their family. Shortfall of students is closing colleges, industries are shutting down, fields are left barren, businesses are closing, and villages now only host the elderlies. The question arises in front of us, we had thought that we wrote the Constitution of Nepal through the constituent assembly, and all the leaders claimed it to be the finest constitution in the world but this constitution is neither able to yield progress nor identity to the nation. Therefore, the constitution needs to be amended and should be given the identity of Sanatana Hindu State,” Sah proposed.
Nepal abolished its centuries-old constitutional monarchy in 2006 after then King Gyanendra seized power and imposed an emergency, leading to a movement known as “People’s Movement II.” This movement resulted in bloodshed and international pressure, eventually leading to the reinstatement of the dissolved parliament and the establishment of a new democracy known as Lokantantra (People’s Rule).
The right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has also been advocating for the reinstatement of the Hindu state and constitutional monarchy. Additionally, a faction within the Nepali Congress, the largest political party in Nepal’s federal parliament, has been raising similar demands.
Doubts Revealed
Lawmaker -: A lawmaker is a person who makes or changes laws. In India, lawmakers are called Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Nepal -: Nepal is a country located in South Asia, just north of India. It is known for its mountains, including Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Hindu State -: A Hindu state is a country where the government and laws are based on Hindu religion and traditions. India is a secular country, which means it does not favor any religion.
Communist Party (CPN-UML) -: The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) is a political party in Nepal. It follows the ideas of communism, which is a system where all property is owned by the community.
Secularism -: Secularism means that a country does not support or favor any particular religion. It treats all religions equally.
Constitution -: A constitution is a set of rules that guides how a country works. It tells how the government is organized and the rights of the people.
Youth Migration -: Youth migration means young people moving from one place to another, often to find better jobs or education. In Nepal, many young people move to other countries for work.
Economic Decline -: Economic decline means that a country’s economy is getting worse. This can mean fewer jobs, less money, and more poverty.
Basic Needs -: Basic needs are things people need to live, like food, water, shelter, and healthcare. If these are not met, people can suffer.
Identity and Governance -: Identity refers to what makes a country unique, like its culture and traditions. Governance is how a country is run, including its laws and leaders.
