Nepal: Rare Bout Of Communal Violence Hints At Future Problem?

Around 50 years ago, during the time of King Mahendra in Nepal, an incident of communal violence saw the king personally direct the removal of key local officials.

Contrast that with last week’s bout of communal violence in Sunsari district bordering Bihar, where Muslims reportedly objected to loud music being played by Kanwariyas and all hell broke loose.

Three people died in police firing and the army had to be brought in to ensure the situation remained under control.

Veteran journalist Yubaraj Ghimire, Editor of Deshsanchar.com, told SNG on The Gist that while an inquiry has been ordered, there was no word from Prime  Minister Balen Shah for three days after the incident.  It has fuelled suspicion and rumours about skulduggery afoot by interested groups.

“This large group of people going there and, you know, stopping in that area and voicing slogans in the name of God was something that could have been avoided,” he said, “during cultural events you don’t go to deliberately offend people.”

In fact, reports in the Nepali media indicated small incidents of communal tension right through January.  Perhaps the authorities didn’t take them seriously, or missed the big picture developing.

There is a view is that although around 80% of Nepal’s people are Hindu, the decision by the politicians in 2006 to make it a secular state (along with abolishing the monarchy), minus any serious discussion has gone deep.

There were reports of a steep rise in conversions to Christianity during this time.  And many people recall the British ambassador’s famous letter where he urged Nepal “go secular” and allow conversions.  So are people insecure about their faith even though 80% of Nepal is Hindu.

Add to that developments India where the ruling BJP wears Hindu on its sleeve.  Ghimire believes there maybe pressure from some sections in India for Nepal to return to its Hindu roots, perhaps even an arrangement that would see the return of the king.

Tune in for more in this conversation with Yubaraj Ghimire, veteran journalist and Editor of Deshsanchar.com.