Nepal is currently witnessing a resurgence in calls for the reinstatement of the Hindu state.
Once a Hindu state, Nepal transitioned to a federal, secular, and democratic identity in 2008 following the end of the decade-long "people's war" in 2006, spearheaded by the CPN (Maoist) which led to significant political reforms and over 13,000 casualties.
Leaders from major political parties are now advocating for the reestablishment of Nepal as a Hindu state under the banner of the 'Vaidik Sanatan Hindu State' movement.
Even within the Nepali Congress, the largest political party across all levels of government, including local, federal, and provincial, there is growing support for the restoration of the Hindu state. At the ongoing 14th 'Mahasamiti' meeting in Kathmandu, over 950 general committee members have signed a petition urging for this cause.
Shankar Bhandari, a lawmaker and central working committee member of the Nepali Congress, is spearheading the campaign within the party for the reinstatement of the Hindu state. The campaign has garnered significant momentum, with a majority of general committee members expressing their support for the initiative.
Despite this groundswell of support, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has rejected the idea of incorporating the agenda of the Hindu state into the party's framework, citing the current political climate. However, proponents of the movement warn that ignoring the sentiment for the restoration of Nepal's Hindu identity could have severe repercussions for the party.
Other prominent figures within the Nepali Congress, including former Secretary General Shashanka Koirala, have endorsed the petition, signaling widespread support within the party for the cause.
While the two other major political parties, CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center), have remained silent on the issue, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, the fourth largest party in parliament, has aligned itself with the Nepali Congress in advocating for the reinstatement of the Hindu state.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has outlined a comprehensive agenda, including the restoration of the monarchy and the declaration of Nepal as a "zone of peace," which it plans to pursue through peaceful protests in Kathmandu starting next month.
Overall, the movement for the restoration of the Hindu state in Nepal continues to gain momentum, with various political parties and leaders joining forces to advocate for this historic change.
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