Kalpit Parajuli

The rotating fast began on 23 March in front of Ratna Park, in the capital’s downtown area. Christian leaders will continue until the government does not grant Christians land for cemetery. To avoid a clash with Hindus, Christians have agreed to give up the right to bury their dead near Pashupatinath temple.

Monks, students and religious leaders met in the Nepali capital on 27-28 March. Buddha’s teachings and interfaith cooperation can be used against social ills caused by war and economic development. For a Japanese monk, “religion can give people a message of peace and solidarity.”

Beijing is getting ready for the Dalai Lama’s succession, sending money and weapons to the Nepali armed forces. General Chen Bindge, who arrived yesterday in Kathmandu, will remain in the country until Saturday. His goal is to prevent future violent protests by Tibetan exiles.

The authorities of the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath prevent the burial of Christians, despite the go-ahead from the Supreme Court. Hundreds of Catholics and Protestant parade in central Kathmandu to demand a cemetery from authorities.

In a meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio Mgr. Pennacchio, the President assures prompt action to prevent attacks against Christian communities. Secretary of the Council of Ministers: "In a secular state respect for religious freedom should prevail."

The government under the Maoists blackmail has not yet appointed a new interior minister. Police warn of increased activity of Hindu extremist groups, but has no money to continue operations. Christians are afraid to go to church and prefer to pray in their homes.

About 30 Nepali immigrants in Japan are missing. A Mass is held in Kathmandu cathedral with relatives of the missing and Japanese living in Nepal attending. The Nepali government sends Special Forces to Sendai as well as emergency supplies to help rescue teams.

Tibetan refugees in Nepal gather at a temple to mark the anniversary of Tibet’s anti-Chinese uprising. However, they are attacked, beaten and arrested. Buddhist monk laments the fact that the right to pray is not protected in Nepal.

The act of violence is the consequence of a government-orchestrated campaign against Tibetans as the authorities try to meet their obligations vis-à-vis China on the 60th anniversary of its invasion of Tibet. As part of this, the government deploys more than 1,500 soldiers and police agents to stop demonstrations.

The attacks are aimed at creating panic and extorting money from politicians and businessmen. Ram Prasad Mainali, Nepal Defence Army, had been under police surveillance for months. Arrested six accomplices ready to blow up religious buildings in Kathmandu. Recently Mainali had asked forgiveness for the attack on the cathedral of Kathmandu in May 2009.

The Nepalese Church has been promoting prayer and social activities also open to non-Christians. Women's movement call for an end to trafficking in women, sold as "slaves" in India and China. Hindu woman: the work of Catholics favours the advancement of women.

Over 500 thousand Hindu pilgrims remain outside the temple, waiting up to eight hours in a queue. The cost of the ticket, allows rich tourists to jump the queue. In the clashes over a hundred wounded and dozens of arrests. Hindu pilgrims: "The demand for money to enter the temple is an insult to people's devotion."