s and Muslims. After the 1990 people’s resistance, the new constitution accepted different religions and culture. However, Nepal was still a Hindu kingdom. Nepal was a Hindu kingdom as long as the Shah dynasty existed. In 2006, there was another massive people demonstration, which ended monarchy and Hindu state. Nepal was announced a secular republic.
Founding of modern Nepal had nothing to do with religion, however, the Shahs, the decedents of unifier of modern Nepal reined the country in the name of Hinduism. Some Hindus are still vouching for monarchy. Even the Hindu political party in India had originally vouched for continuance of Hindu Kingdom in Nepal. Interestingly, Nepal was not officially called Hindu country until 1960. When king Mahendra banished political parties and banned party politics, he established authoritarian regime and named Nepal a Hindu kingdom.
Secularism in Nepal
The year 2006 knocked every traditional notion in Nepal. Nepal is now a secular country and a republic. Even though Nepal is a secular state, there are people who still want Nepal to become a Hindu state, some people have problem with the word secular. Thus, according to a recent agreement, Nepal is neither Hindu nation, not a secular state, Nepal is religiously neutral state.
Even though Nepal is no more Hindu nation, cow, which is highly revered animal for the Hindus, is a national animal. As a national animal, cow is protected. Killing cow or eating beef is punishable by law. For Hindus cow stands as a source of life and divine mother. People from other religions, particularly Christians and Muslims, have objected cow as a national animal. They say if Nepal is no more Hindu state, why cow revered by Hindus is a national animal. If Nepal is no more Hindu nation, they must be allowed to kill cow and eat beef.
Religion is a delicate matter in Nepal. More than 80 percent people in Nepal are Hindus, thus, the government cannot anger the majority by agreeing to minority. Muslims consists of about 6 percent and Christians consist of 3 percent of the total population.
Since we believe in democracy, the rule of majority, there is nothing wrong when the government protects Hindu interest. We are a democracy, which means we care about minority, thus, the government respects and safeguards other religions.