Secularism in nepal pdf

The sociopolitical landscape of nepal has been rocked by dramatic and farreaching changes in the past thirty years. The political authority of secularism in international. Pdf shaping secularism in nepal ganesh shah academia. Shaping secularism in nepal chiara letizia introduction on may 18 2006, nepals house of representatives declared nepal a secular state and suspended the political powers of the king, thus putting an end to the twocenturiesold hindu kingdom. Adoption of secularism in nepal in 2007 provided some relief to. Nepal is virtually singlehandedly going against this antisecular current. It may be noted that secularism is a western concept originated in europe when the separation of church and state had become a major concern.

Of particular concern were the local affiliates of the indiabased hindu political party shiv sena, locally known as pashupati sena, shiv sena nepal, and nepal shivsena. The constitution also specifically denies the right to convert another person. A better understanding of the history and nature of secularism will help people understand its role and influence in society today. Following a tenyear maoist revolution and civil war, the country has transitioned from a monarchy to a republic. Soon after the peace agreement nepal the only hindu kingdom in the world with some 80% following inhabitants was officially declared a secular state. That is why even the most orthodox hindus and muslims accepted it as a viable ideology for india. Before the unification of nepal, the common feature among the principalities was the recognition of law based on the. Pdf shaping secularism in nepal chiara letizia academia. Paulos mar gregoriouss famous saying goes like, secularism creates communal conflict because it brutally attacks religious identity while pretending to be tolerant of all religions. Vijay nambiar india as a secular state by d e smith, princeton university press, 1063.

Aug 20, 20 about 90% of the share of first constituent assembly was won by parties who had vocally or non vocally supported secularism. The key term of secularism may be dropped in nepals new constitution as it is not considered appropriate by many people, according to top nepali leaders. London founderdirector international institute of islamic thought and civilization and university professor ofislamic thought,md civilization international islamic university malaysia international institute of islamic tholiglfl an civluzation lstac kuala lumpur. The question of future of secularism in india is very important particularly at this juncture. Yes secularism is an import just like cricket and english language. Former prime minister of nepal jhala nath khanal on tuesday said secularism enshrined in nepalese constitution in 2008 is irreversible. Thus, secularism is often seen by its opponents as the product of a christian conspiracy to allow proselytising.

Semantically, the term arose from the specific european. Thus, secularism is often seen by its opponents as the product of a. Secularism has come to be associated with emancipation for many marginalised communities, as hinduism central role in nepals national identity was tied to the continued dominance of established elites. The interim constitution of 2007 has been replaced by nepal constitution declared on sep 20, 2015 which also clearly state that nepal is a secular country. Any careful analysis of the subject of secularism is confronted by at least. Shaping secularism in nepal chiara letizia introduction on may 18 2006, nepal s house of representatives declared nepal a secular state and suspended the political powers of the king, thus putting an end to the twocenturiesold hindu kingdom. If you advocate for reestablishing nepal as a hindu state, a section of people may term you antisecular, regressive force or a person with outdated vision. Secularism is the concept of independence of the state and the religious groups.

No doubt we are moving from religiosity to secular way of life. The constitution establishes the country as a secular state but defines secularism as protection of the ageold religion and culture and religious and cultural. Contested secularism and religious conflict in nepal helda. Nepal had never had an organised church, so, the notion of secularism itself is not understandable in nepali context. Chiara letizia explores the role that secularism has played in nepals peace process, and its status in the 2015 constitution.

This is an ideology which is highly important for a democratic country and especially the one where people from various religions reside. Nepal s constitutional secularism necessitates that the federal democratic republic of nepal be neither wholly respectful nor disrespectful towards a religion. God is significantly absent throughout the constitutions of india and nepal. Introduction the discrimination of one community or its members by another community or its members on account of their religious identity are the instances continue reading secularism its meaning. Nepal was declared a secular country in 2007 after nepals hardcore. By jagdish bhagwati the author is university professor, economics and law, at columbia university and senior fellow in international economics at the council on foreign relations. Secularism as practiced in india, with its marked differences with western practice of secularism, is a controversial topic in india. Dec, 2019 secularism is a part of the basic structure doctrine of the constitution of india. Pdf the first section of this paper will justify the lines of religions of state, its nature and its dominance.

Secularism in constitution of india list of provisions. Pdf defining the province of secularism in nepal researchgate. Essay on secularism in nepal sample irish music essays leaving essay on secularism in nepal photo essays s a majority of nepalese supposedly want essay on secularism in nepal essay on secularism in nepal sample irish music essays leaving. Evolution of indian secularism varoma vijayan assistant professor of law, csi institute of legal studies, cheruvarakonam, trivandrum both in academic and popular usage the term secular has been rendered a catch all, residual phrase that is the converse of religious. Eight years after turning nepal into a secular nation, major political parties in the country are mulling to replace the key term. Contested secularism and religious conflict in nepal.

When a state is declared secular, it should neither beinfluenced by any particular religion in its governing. Secularism is challenged not only by clerics and religious nationalists but by some politicians, social activists and even. Secularism simply provides a framework for a democratic society. Charles taylors remarks, in the absence of inclusionary definitions of. The reinstated parliament declared nepal as a secular state in 2006, curtailing the power of the monarchy which was historically derived from hindu religion. Religion, secularism, and ethnicity in contemporary nepal. The equal respect to all religious faiths professed, practiced and propagated on the sovereign soil of nepal is the hallmark of nepali secularism. Nonetheless, some anxiety continues to persist on whether. This short paper is written in an informal style, and is intended mainly to advance a few. Aug, 2015 nepal was the only hindu monarchy in the world until a civil war that broke out between the maoist rebels, prompting it to abandon the 239yearold monarchy and embrace democracy and secularism in. In the context of newly introduced secularism in nepal, the qualitative study discuss different aspects of nepalese society where religious. On the other hand, all kinds of anxieties and doubts beset secularism in india. As nepals constituent assembly readies to vote on a draft of a new constitution over the next few weeks, a hindu rightwing party is demanding that the term secularism be dropped from the. Jun 25, 2019 the modern west is what it is largely because of secularism.

Chiara letizia explores the role that secularism has played in nepal s peace process, and its status in the 2015 constitution. Secularists identify something called religion and separate it from the domains of the state, the economy and science. If secularism has its relevance only in context, then it is natural and right to think that it will appear in different forms and guises in different contexts. Communalism, fundamentalism and sikhism in india suggest that no necessary connection exists between modernisation and. In the introduction to religion, secularism, and ethnicity in contemporary nepal, two of the editorsdavid n. Pitted against these critics are scholars who emphasize the indispensability of secularism.

Nepals constitutional secularism necessitates that the federal democratic republic of nepal be neither wholly respectful nor disrespectful towards a religion. Secularism is challenged not only by clerics and religious nationalists but by some politicians, social activists and even academics. But i write down these opening features of secularism at the outset because they seem to me to be invariant among the different forms that secularism may take in different contexts. Based on the acknowledgment that the notion of secularism in nepal is multivocal and is still taking shape, this chapter examines the judiciarys contribution to defining it. Nepal is a secular state under the constitution of nepal 2015, which was promulgated on. Rabindra khanal1 introduction secularism is the concept that the states should exist separately from religion or religious beliefs. The political authority of secularism in international relations elizabeth shakman hurd northwestern university secularism is an important source of political authority in international relations theory and practice.

Interestingly, secularism is the most loved word in new nepal and hinduism is the most abused one. There was a huge debate whether nepal to declare a secular state or remained as a hindu nation. The modern west is what it is largely because of secularism. Nepal 20 shows hinduism as the largest religion with 81.

A strong movement for secularism has persisted for over two decades, resulting in the declaration. Nepal may remove secularism from new constitution times. The objective of the study is to explore the understanding of religious leaders on secularism and their idea of religious rights. However, evidences show that religious beliefs have not fully declined in our society. Secularism was never meant to be the indifference to religion by our leaders and freedom fighters, who realised that india is a highly religious country. Religion, secularism, and ethnicity in contemporary nepal david n. One step back the nepal peace process accord issue 26. Are you ready for insta 75 days revision plan upsc prelims 2020. See also pseudo secularism supporters of the indian concept of secularism claim it respects. As india is a diverse country, following different religions and culture, due to diversity of people, for that. Islam and secularism by syed muhammad naquib j\jattas ma mc gill, ph. It is one of a proud thing for indians that it is one of the only secular states in the south asian region. Nepal is a secular state under the constitution of nepal 2015, which was promulgated on september 20, 2015.

However, the constitution that came in to force with effect from 26 the january, 1950 did not use the word secularism. Image used for representational purpose four years ago, a question put to sushma swaraj suggested that both india and nepal should be hindu states. On 18 may, the reinstated house of representatives proclaimed nepal secular, the first of several constitutional steps that led to the abolition of the monarchy and the creation of the new secular federal. Eight years after turning nepal into a secular nation, major political parties in the country are mulling to replace the key term secularism from the new constitution with an. Secularism and statebuilding in nepal conciliation resources. In the context of newly introduced secularism in nepal, the qualitative study discuss different aspects of nepalese society where religious tension is emerging. The 2015 constitution confirms nepal as a secular state, but its. Nepals secular status was reiterated in the interim constitution of 2007, without specifying which model of secularism should be established, and. The case of nepal is exceptional which moves from religious to secular country where the propensity is for more determined religious nationalism elsewhere. After ca passed nepal as secular state, protesting hindu activists clash with police at new baneshwar. Although believers, atheists, and agnostics are treated alike by the constitutions of india and nepal, one. To understand secularism in india, we need to understand secularism in general, its origins in europe, protestantism versus roman catholicism, christianity versus judaism, the role of church, european history and the conditions under which secularism was imported to india.

Ultimately however, the volume goes beyond secularism to address how, in recent times, nepalis have. This is the most uptodate book on religion in nepal and on the significant question of the status of secularism in nepal. Has nepal constituent assembly been made as a graveyards for hindus. Pdf political transition and governance discourses in nepal an. As nepals constituent assembly is expected to vote on a draft of a new constitution over the next few weeks, a hindu right wing party is demanding that the term secularism be dropped from. This group was accused of playing a role in the violence in the terai, the southern area of nepal along the border with india, in late 2006 and early 2007. Secularism has come to be associated with emancipation for many marginalised communities, as hinduism central role in nepal s national identity was tied to the continued dominance of established elites. Gellner and chiara letizianote that the goal of this book is to use ethnography to answer the question of whether nepal is becoming more secular. Nepal may remove secularism from new constitution asia. On the one hand, almost every politician swears by it. Secularism in nepal was imposed due to international pressure. Muslims in nepal ask for a hindu nation, say no to secularism. Jul 27, 2015 in a major change, nepals political parties have agreed to remove the word secularism from the new constitution.

One petition seeks to reform the tradition of the living goddess. Issues and challenges to indian secularism and right to religion 218 oppressive aspects of religion and build a social order where freedom and equality will prevail. A majority of nepalese supposedly want the term secularism to be removed from the draft of its new constitution, which will soon be put to the vote. According to the source, muslim feared off increasing missionary activities of christians in a secular country and possible religious tension, if the constitution of nepal fully endorsed secularism. Secularism in nepal dates back to april 2006, when the second peoples movement forced king gyanendra to give up power. Two public interest litigation cases concerning religious traditions that are closely associated with the hindu monarchy are discussed. Atheists have an obvious interest in supporting secularism, but secularism itself does not seek to challenge the tenets of any particular religion or belief, neither does it seek to impose atheism on anyone. Religion and law in nepal international center for law and. Secularism its meaning, models and issues insightsias. The constitution provides for freedom to practice ones religion. Read this comprehensive essay on the problems of secularism in india. Aug 24, 2015 as nepals constituent assembly is expected to vote on a draft of a new constitution over the next few weeks, a hindu right wing party is demanding that the term secularism be dropped from.

Get ready for upsc civil services preliminary exam 2020 with insights insta 75 days revision plan. The 2015 constitution confirms nepal as a secular state, but. Pdf religion, secularism, and ethnicity in contemporary. It is crucial for the truly committed secularists in nepal to have the courage and honesty to define the meaning of secularism in the constitution, incorporating its universal contents.

Nepal had never had an organised church, so, the notion of secularism itself is not understandable in nepali context, writes dr nirmala mani adhikary, a journalism faculty at kathmandu university, in his scholarly article in shweta shardul vol. Interdisciplinary analysts, kathmandu, nepal, pawansen. Sudhindra sharma, executive director of interdisciplinary analysts ida and adjunct professor of nepa school of social sciences and humanities, for giving him permission to utilize raw data of the surveys conducted by ida for his study. Besides most of the radical groups thought hinduism had a lot of impact on the nation and some vocal ethnic groups claimed. America had christian majority and yet it was declared secular india had hindu majority and yet it was declared secular. Complaints have been raised from different factions that secularism has been selectively applied in policy to suppress opposing religious views. Secularism is a politically charged topic in india and often divides political factions.