Secular state still recognizes 83 festivals for other faiths
(Barnabas Fund) – The Nepalese government has sparked protest amongst Christians after deciding to remove Christmas Day from its calendar of national celebrations. Whilst the government maintain the move is purely an attempt to stem the rising number of public holidays, Christians feel it is part of a determined effort to suppress their rights. They have also criticised the draft of the country’s new Criminal Code, which includes the banning of conversions.
Christmas Day has been celebrated with a public holiday ever since Nepal become a secular state in 2008. In recent years, the warmth and openness generated by the day has led to people from other faiths joining in with the celebrations. Last year, the Christmas season also provided a welcome source of hope and excitement following the earthquake and the recent economic struggles caused by India’s embargo on food and fuel exports.
A petition has been drafted by a group of Christian leaders protesting the decision. This will be delivered to Prime Minister K P Sharma, as well as Home Affairs Minister, Shakti Basnet, who recently stressed that the decision was made “not to hurt Christians but to control the rising number of public holidays.” Basnet did add that Christians working for the government will still be allowed to take leave.
Christian leaders, however, feel that this concession does not go far enough. Rev. C B Gahatraj, Secretary General of the National Federation of Christians, says, “Christians do not just work for the government. If Christmas is not a national holiday, the workers of the private sector will not be able to celebrate it.” Gahatraj also highlighted that the government recognises 83 festivities for Hindus and other communities, but none for Christians.
The Christian community also has the support of the Inter-religious Council Nepal, together with other interfaith groups and activist organizations.
This infringement of Christian rights in Nepal is further reflected in the draft of the country’s new Criminal Code. The religious section – which has not been changed since a group of pro-Hindu parliamentarians presented it in 2011 – includes an article banning all conversion activity. Failure to adhere to the code will result in a five-year imprisonment (foreigners included), whilst nationals are additionally served with a fine of fifty thousand rupees.
Article 156 specifically states that “No one should involve or encourage in conversion of religion.” It continues, “No one should convert a person from one religion, to another religion or profess their own religion and belief with similar intention by using or not using any means of attraction, and by disturbing religion or belief of any ethnic groups or community that has been practiced since ancient times.”
The Religious Liberty Forum and Nepalese Christian Society are currently working hard to lobby the Nepalese government and provide feedback on the code. Early meetings with different government officials suggest a positive response to the concerns raised. The issue has additionally been highlighted to the United Nations and members of the UK parliament.
Even with this progress, there remains a long way to go given the strength of support for conversion activity to be punished. The pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party, for example, who recently announced their plans to propose an amendment to the constitution to reinstate Nepal as a Hindu state, have said that in the next month they will hold a rally against conversion activity.
Barnabas Aid is engaged with a variety of projects throughout Nepal. This includes student ministry and leadership training, as well as emergency aid and the rebuilding of 30 churches following the earthquake which hit the country in April 2015.
https://barnabasfund.org/news/Nepalese-Christians-criticise-removal-of-Christmas-Day-as-public-holiday-and-draft-of-new-Criminal-Code
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