Update overdue The Pashupatinath Temple, the centre of devotion to the Hindus all across the world, is once again in news not because of any controversy as such but as regards a definitive directive by the Supreme Court (SC). The Apex Court has directed the government to form a panel to prepare a report to detail out the specifics as to whether the holy temple is to be managed by the state. The question has come to the fore because Nepal has become a secular state where all religions and faiths have equal status. Even after this, the state still is entrusted with the task of doing the needful as concerns the management of the Pashupatinath Temple, including the appointment of the priests or the bhattas. This seems an issue worth mooting over, particularly after the SC directive to the government. It also specifically mentioned for the said panel to deal with the appointment of priests and the management of the offerings made by the devotees at the temple. Going back in time to look at the issues that surrounded the apex temple for Hindus, the UCPN (M), when they were leading the government, had interfered with its smooth functioning. That included making the environment for the then priests to fulfil their appointed tasks in a free manner. Of course, the contention of the Maoist-led government was that the tradition of the Pashupatinath priests hailing from India had to be broken. There are certain basis on which the tradition has persisted and, in fact, any qualified Hindu individual can be appointed as a priest. The forcible meddling in the religious affairs by the government could not be taken lightly as it had a bearing on the sentiments of Hindus wherever they lived in the world. The petty gain drive by the Maoists was bound to fail, and it did. Herein, it may be worthwhile remembering that the appointment of Nepali priests is always welcome, with full adherence to the rules and specifications for which the SC directive will be helpful. Just because the present priests are Indians should not let the detractors create a big fuss. The set criteria for the appointment of the Pashupatinath Temple priests has to be followed with no reference whatsoever to the nationality—any Hindu meeting the specifications can qualify. The Supreme Court has done well by giving such a directive to the government of a secular state. Under the circumstances, the religious affairs ought not to be dealt with by the government. There should be a separate autonomous body to deal with the affairs of the Pashupatinath Temple. When the monarchy, that followed the Hindu religion and traditions, thrived it was appropriated for the state’s involvement in religious matters, but not now with the emergence of the secular state. State protection has to be guaranteed to every place of worship, to whichever religion or faith it may belong to. That premise itself should be reason enough for the state taking its hands out of religious matters so that impartiality becomes the hallmark as is clearly evident in India. That will definitely be the hallmark of religious harmony in the nation, which again will be the basis of peaceful co-existence among the people with varied beliefs and faiths.

Safe side A random study of the sanitary condition in community schools in five districts found out that the hygienic conditions were appalling. Most of the toilets of the schools in these schools were found to be unsatisfactory. Furthermore, it was found that drinking water provided by the schools, if any, was contaminated. The pathetic state of schools in these five districts is a pointer to the poor hygiene in most of the community schools. Proper attention should be given to hygiene in the schools and everything possible should be done so that the pupils may have safe drinking water. Since this is a matter of public interest these findings should be taken up seriously. Toilets should be constructed and maintained, and they should be provided with adequate water. These are some basic hygienic pre-requisites. Not adhering to it will have serious consequences as the health of the students will suffer. This will also lead to absenteeism, among other things. Another study conducted in schools in Biratnagar over a period of a month also came up with similar conclusions. The random studies, however, points to the general conditions wherein students in schools face numerous health hazards. It’s a serious outcry.