Hindu fundamentalists in Nepal have used proselytization to justify restoration of Hindu state in the new constitution. A number of Christian organizations and NGOs funded by such syndicates, they argue, are into forced conversion drive across the country, raising threats against the 'great' Hindu religion. They have been working hard to push Hindu agenda as political parties are debating whether to retain 'secularism' or replace it with 'religious freedom,' in the new constitution—after overwhelming majority of people expressed opinions in favor of the latter. Forces like Rastriya Parajantra Party-Nepal and other Hindu outfits are capitalizing on proselytization fears. We would be happy to find such claims unfounded. But the recent Republica report from Dang has only reinforced it. It has been revealed that children as young as nine years old have been converted into Christianity in a number of Mid-western districts, Dang in particular. There were only 640 Christians, or 1.14 percent of the total population, in the district according to Census 2001 but the latest census in 2011 puts the number at 7,431. The number of Christians in Dang has crossed 12, 000—an increase by 5, 000, with 111 churches, says the report. Locals claim this is the result of forced conversion and fear that growing number of churches might eventually invite sectarian unrest.What alarms us is not increasing number of Christians. People are free to express allegiance to the faith of their choice in a vibrant democracy. But forceful conversion is unfortunate and, we are afraid, could potentially sow seeds of religious disharmony in the land of perfect religious tolerance. Despite being a country of Hindu majority (above 80 percent), Nepal has always remained a beacon of tolerant state. There is no state prosecution against Christians like in other countries (according to July 25 report of The Economist communist leaders have ordered demolition of Church crosses in China). Christmas is a welcome to non-Hindus as well and the government marks it by observing a public holiday. Forced conversion, when the state treats all religions as equal, is against the law. Religion is an extremely sensitive issue; its mishandling can give rise to violence. We need to learn from neighboring countries how playing with faith can result into potential communal conflicts. Religion should, therefore, be treated as personal affair of a citizen.
The law of the land is clear on religion. Article 23 of the Interim Constitution (2007) states that "every person shall have the right to profess, practice and preserve his/her own religion as handed down to him/her from ancient times." It prohibits conversion. "No person," it says, "shall be entitled to convert another person from one religion to another and no person shall act or behave in a manner which may infringe upon the religion of others." It also repeatedly emphasizes that there shall be no discrimination of any kind on the basis of someone's religious belief." Thus what is happening in Dang defies the constitutional provisions and is deeply troubling. There is no doubt that state needs to protect the faith of not just the majority, but also minority. But forced conversion must be checked. The government should monitor the organizations allegedly converting people in the guise of social service and bring all conversion campaigners to book.
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