NATIONAL10 [RELIGION (Spotlight Weelky)]

Concerned Over Proselytizing

World Hindu Federation expresses concern over the sustained campaign to proselytize Nepalese Hindus

By A Correspondent

World Hindu Federation (WHF) has demanded that the government set up a high level committee to probe into the activities of missionaries and other non governmental organizations involved in proselytizing in the country.

Expressing grave concern over the growing activities of Christians in the country, the federation has asked the government to abide by the provision of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 which establishes Nepal as the Hindu Kingdom.

In a statement handed over to Prime Minister few months ago, the federation has stated that ever since 1990 the activities of Christians and Muslims have increased in the country. "In the name of providing relief to backward and downtrodden people, these missionaries are engaged in a sustained campaign to proselyte," the statement reads.

The federation has alleged that some foreign institutions and missionary schools are teaching Christianity in the name of moral science to students,

When the constitution of the country specifically mentions that "Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom" and it also unambiguously prohibits conversion, why is the government shutting its eyes to the open conversion being carried out in the country? Will any Islamic state permit the kind of conversion in its territory that is being carried out in Nepal? The democratic rulers who want to project themselves as liberal and secular are violating the constitution and are punishable. If the government does not take any action, the King must take active interest and instruct the government to immediately stop such anti-state activities. After all, he is a Hindu King of the Hindu Kingdom.

"We will not back off from conducting movement as necessary if these activities are allowed to continue," says Krishna Gopal Tandon, President of WHF.

The federation has also asked the government to formulate clear policies to control proselytizing.

Concerns Over Missionary Activities

After the restoration of democracy in 1990, the activities of Christian missionaries in Nepal have increased by leaps and bounds. Because of extreme poverty amongst the masses and the rampant corruption amongst the politicians and bureaucrats, the missionaries are not meeting any obstacles in their proselytizing zeal. Even though Article 19 of the constitution unequivocally prohibits conversion, the missionaries are freely converting the poor Nepalese into other religions and the authorities are either least interested or actively involved in the nefarious acts.

CRIME
Clamping Down On Crime

Police Chief asks police officials to improve law and order in the capital

By A CORRESPONDENT

Last Tuesday a group of hoodlums went on a murderous rampage wielding knives and khukuris and wounding eight passers-by in the heart of capital.

The young miscreants, alleged to be drug addicts on prowl, attacked innocent people on the streets in Kathmandu on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

The rogues, who were later arrested by the police, told the cops they were under the narcotic influence and were trying to extort the pedestrians.

The terrifying street-stabbing case and the rise of other criminal incidents like burglary have left the city-dwellers very much scared.

In a bid to arrest further deterioration of the law and order in the valley, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Achyut Krishna Kharel, on February 6, asked his subordinates to enhance the security arrangements. He warned of strict departmental action to police officials in case they failed to improve the law and order situation within a week.

"The general public should feel immediate improvement in the law and order situation," Kharel is quoted to have said in the leading English daily.

The police chief also announced a budget of Rs 200 thousand for additional 12 taxis to patrol during night to improve law and order in the city.

Meanwhile, police have said that about ten percent of the total criminal incidents in Kathmandu valley are related to the booming dance restaurants in the capital.

At a program held in capital last week, Assistant Inspector General of Police Tirtha Kumar Pradhan said in the past one year 30 out of 300 crime incidents were directly related to dance restaurants in the city.

The same restaurants are held responsible for about half the road accidents. The intoxicated people leaving these restaurants late at night cause for these accidents.