Religious freedom in Nepal  As the Nepali people prepare a new
constitution, they should be careful that it expands, rather
than limits, religious freedom     • Jump to comments ()
Freedom of religion is not often an issue at the very heart of a
constitutional debate, but things have shaped up differently in
the new republic of Nepal. Notwithstanding rising political
turmoil, the deadline is looming for a new constitution, which
will complete and formalise Nepal's transition from Hindu
monarchy to secular republic. The constituent assembly has
declared Nepal a secular state, but there is an increasing
resistance to the nation's new identity, seemingly fuelled by
Hindu nationalists in India.  In the most dramatic gesture so
far, a popular Nepali holy-man, Kali Baba, recently threatened
to burn himself alive in protest unless Nepal is once again
established as a Hindu nation.  It remains to be seen whether
this will become a make-or-break issue for the constitution,
which is due to be finalised by an increasin