Madhesh tests Nepal’s secular credentials

Communal tensions in Nepal's Madhesh region are beginning to ease, thanks to the home minister's crisis management and the prime minister's timely outreach to political actors. These efforts have fostered a sense of accountability and fraternity, bringing leaders from Hindu and Muslim communities to the negotiating table. However, the article stresses that ad hoc measures are insufficient to quell the flames of communalism.

Long-term strategies are essential to address the deep-rooted problems, starting with the very concept of secularism in Nepal. Prime Minister Balendra Shah remains committed to secularism, viewing any debate on its removal as a threat to republicanism and federalism. While this commitment offers reassurance, complacency is not an option. The timing of the recent communal tension in Sunsari suggests a deliberate effort to challenge secularism, particularly as consultations on constitutional amendments are underway.

Incidents began with a clash between Hindu devotees on a religious procession and local Muslim youths in Kaptanganj, Sunsari. The situation escalated with police intervention, leading to widespread communal hatred. Members of Hindutva-aligned groups are reportedly in negotiations with the home minister, demanding a return to a 'Hindu Rashtra.' While the minister has reportedly sidestepped this demand, focusing on more immediate outcomes, the negotiations have intensified communal suspicion and led to increased scrutiny of madrassas, alongside calls for similar scrutiny of mandirs.

The article points out that communalism is not confined to one religion or community, citing a pattern of provocative actions and social media misuse across regions like Banke, Dhanusa, and Sarlahi. The Armed Police Force recorded 25 incidents of religious or ethnic conflict between fiscal years 2020-21 and 2023-24, indicating a recurring problem fueled by a shared grammar of communalism across Madhesh.