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WELCOME ! All OF YOU.

“Why a Secular Republican Constitution

for the Former Last Hindu Kingdom of Nepal?"

By Khimlal DevkotaSymposium on Constitutional Designs for Diversity and Conflict

Jakarta, Indonesia12-15 Oct.2009

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Chapter I

1. Background:

12 years people's war led by Nepal Communist Party [Maoist].

popular movement of 2006 .

The peaceful and successful election of April 2008 has ensured one of the most representative Constituent Assembly.

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continued

More than two century old Monarchy,

based on Hinduism, feudalism and

autocratic system of governance

abolished forever.

A New federal democratic republican

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Continued

a secular state with a clear recognition of multi-religious, multiethnic and multilingual character of the state and a clear commitment to equally deal with all religions and ethnic groups in Nepal.

in the process of socio-economic transformation of the Nepalese society in order to sustain the political achievements.

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continued

The drafting of a new constitution to

institutionalize those achievements.

New constitution Making process.

In fact, Nepal is one of the rich countries

having at least six constitutions within very

limited time of six decades.

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Fact of Nepal and its political Development

Nepal is located in the southern part of the Himalayas, bordered with India in the South, East and West and with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China on the North.

Covering the area of 147181 square kilometers, the terrain expands from very low land -60 meters high- to the highest peak of world – the Mount Everest.

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Continued

Accordingly, the country is naturally diverse and rich in terms of climate, flora and fauna. The geographical diversity is adequately reflected in the socio-cultural life of the people.

Demographically, it has the population of more than 23 million.

Nepalese society is multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society. There are more than hundred ethnic groups most of them having their own mother languages and unique customs.

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Continued

More then 100 spoken languages

59 ethnic groups.

Nepali official language and all spoken mothertongue known as Language of the Nation

As per population census 2001

Hindu 18330121,

Buddha 2442520,

Islam 954023,

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Continued

Kirat 188106,

Jain 4108,

Christian 101976,

Sikh 5890,

Bahai 1211,

Others 78979

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Political Development

Restoration of Multi-party Democracy

Maoist Revolution

Royal Family Massacare and Coup

Peoples Movement Second

Maoist In Open politics

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Chapter II

What is Religion and

Secularism?

Marx’s opinion is that religion is an illusion

that provides reasons and excuses to keep

society functioning just as it is. Much as

capitalism takes our productive labor and

alienates us from its value, religion takes

our highest ideals and aspirations and

alienates us from them, projecting them

onto an alien and unknowable being called

a god.

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Continued

The word secular means "of this

world" in Latin and is the opposite of

religious. As a doctrine, secularism is

usually used in reference any

philosophy which forms its ethics

without reference to religious dogmas

and which promotes the development

of human art and science.

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Impact of Hinduism in

Nepal

King Personification of god Vishnu.

Politics related with Hindu religion.

Traditions, Official functioning style, structure of the society according to the Hindu Religion.

Naming the place, persons goods

Textbook teaching &learning process, every event and practices Indication

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Continued..

Multilingual Nation but Nepali Language as Official Language.

Sanskrit University state funded.

Lot of property in the name of Guthi.

Government Holidays and Religious practices Hindu based.

Hindu jurisprudence and legal system.

Untouchability beliefs practices.

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Why Nepal became a

secular state?

Royal Impunity.

Massive Supression.

One decade long Peoples war.

19 days long peoples

movement.

CA,Secularismm &Republican.

Unconstitutional Move

&Gov.Change.

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ChapterIII

Revolutionary Changes

social transformation,

Economic development

Republican

federalism

secularism.

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Continued

Religious Diversity&effort to Adderss

Secular state in consolidation.

Interim Constitution

Muluki Ain

Other Legislation

Ensured Inclusion

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Constitution making

Experience and practice

Hindukingdom was in History.

Nepal-India Relation and its

connection.

Secular state in consolidation.

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New arrangement

Ultimately Nepal became

secular state.

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Conclusion

Achievement on Inclusion

of diversities through new

arrangement.

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Continued

Religious freedom and Secular

state.

Religious freedom fighters

achievement.

Result of scientific Idea,practicle

motion and real spirite of the

people.

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Continued

Lets makes Religious belief more practical, more scientific and easier to adopt.Then welfare of the human being can be achieved.

Let us try to address all type of problems with realistic approach and address all grivances through your positive and captive manner that can be success.

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Thank you.

KHIMLAL DEVKOTA

ADVOCATE

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY MEMBER,

NEPAL