Former Nepal monarch backs Hindu state bid - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The former monarch of Nepal, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah backed the call for his country to be declared as a Hindu state, three years after his ouster and the Himalayan nation attaining the tag of being secular. He said this on the sidelines of religious function that was held at the Pashupati Bankali temple here on Monday. Shah and his wife Komal attended the ongoing Rudrachandi Akhanda Mahayagnya, a Hindu fire ritual, organised for Nepal being reinstated as a Hindu nation. Talking to reporters, Shah said that he would support the people if they have the desire to restore the country as a Hindu nation. "It does not matter as to who is in the government, but peace is needed and for that Hindu nation is required and long-live Hindu nation," said Shah. Kali Baba, a self-styled Hindu mystic has organised this Mahayagnya Sinch March 1 for the establishment of peace and also for the Nepal having the status of a Hindu nation by contending that he is ready to sacrifice his life for Nepal being once again declared as a Hindu country. Earlier, former Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Duwa, also took part in this Mahayagnya, and expressed their support to the ritual's objective.