Opinion | Madhesh tests Nepal’s secular credentials
Summary
Communal tensions in Madhesh highlight challenges to Nepal's secularism, exacerbated by internal failures and influences from Indian Hindutva politics, calling for deeper institutionalization of secular principles.
Key Points
- Communal tensions in Madhesh arose from clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities, exacerbated by provocative actions and police involvement.
- The rise of Hindutva-aligned groups and the demand for a Hindu state are influencing communal dynamics in Nepal, especially during constitution amendment consultations.
- Nepal's official secularism has not fully translated into societal religious tolerance, leading to feelings of exclusion among Muslim communities.
- The politicisation of religion, influenced by neighboring Indian politics, and internal neglect have weakened secularism's institutionalization in Nepal over the past two decades.
