Protesters Demand Nepal Revert to Hindu State

February 17, 2007

Source: Turkish Press

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=163172

Kathmandu-Around 1,000 protesters have rallied in Nepal's capital to demand that the Himalayan nation revert to being a Hindu state after the government declared the country secular.

Nepal was the world's only Hindu nation until the government made it a secular country last year following massive protests which forced its Hindu monarch to end his absolute rule.

King Gyanendra is viewed by many devout Hindus as a living incarnation of Vishnu, the god of protection.

The protesters, who included "sadhus" or Hindu holy men, chanted "Hindus unite -- declare Nepal a Hindu state" as they marched into the heart of the city.

Police estimated the crowd at about 1,000.