AMN /
The Constituent Assembly in Nepal overwhelmingly rejected the proposal today to declare Nepal a Hindu state and reaffirmed to remain secular. Pro-Hindu National Democratic Party Nepal made the proposal to amend the Constitution to make the country a Hindu state.The proposal to amend the constitution received the support of only 21 lawmakers in the 601-seat Constituent Assembly.
The erstwhile Hindu state, Nepal was declared a secular state in 2007 after the success of the People’s Movement of 2006.Protesting the rejection of the proposal, a group of Hindu activists carrying yellow and saffron flags clashed with security personnel at New Baneshwar area in the capital.
Nepal yesterday entered the final phase of promulgating its new Constitution with the three major parties going ahead with clause-wise voting on the final draft of the statute despite a boycott by Madhesi parties and violent protests that have claimed nearly 40 lives.