Declaring Hindu Nepal a secular state has been perhaps the most heroic act of the seven-party ruling coalition. Curiously, however, they could have to deal with interrogation from unexpected quarters. It appears that not just the so-called status-quoists or the pro-Hindutva elements are disturbed by the transition, but proponents of secular Nepal too are not going to let it happen smoothly.

Even as a Hindu nation, Nepal was seen as an example of communal harmony and religious tolerance. The ‘‘unusual’’ growth of the Muslim population and madarsas along the border in the south was more of a concern for the local avatar of the rapidly growing Rashtriya Swayam Sevaksangh (RSS) or occasionally for the Indian government rather than ordinary people.

So why wasn’t the seven-party coalition content with the secular nature of Nepali society and insisted on a “secular” tag? The RSS family is responsible for it almost in the way that King Gyanendra’s thirst for totalitarian power can take the credit for the success for the recent movement for democracy. The RSS, which exists outside India as the Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh (HSS), has its network across Nepal under the leadership of its pracharak, Subedar Singh, and the palace has been kind enough to facilitate the Sangh Parivar’s growth. India’s Hindutva family has been equally generous when it comes to supporting the king in his dictatorial designs.

But fears that the Sangh Parivar, the BJP included, would like to see a Hindu dictatorial monarchy are firmly lodged in the minds of average Nepalis, at least for now.

... contd.