KATHMANDU, AUGUST 26

The National Human Rights Commission has drawn the attention of the government to be sensitive and control the possible outbreak of communal violence in Dharan of Sunsari district owing to the recent tension between the people of indigenous community and Hindu religion.

An issue of 'non-Hindu' indigenous community killing ox (an revered animal in Hinduism and whose killing is prohibited) and building Christians' church in front of the temple in Dharan has been creating heated tension across the country.

In pretext of these controversies, various Hindu organisations and people organised a protest rally today in the bordering area of Sunsari and Dharan largely against the 'attack of Hindu religion'.

'Our investigation shows that the development of tension can create political, cultural, social and community violence at any time. So, special precaution must be taken to stop any untoward incident,' the human rights watchdog said in the statement.

The Commission has also requested the local government to maintain social harmony and resolve the problem through dialogue.

Joint Secretary of the Commission Tikaram Pokharel appealed to the people to exercise restraint and maintain social harmony and be sensitive to the possibility of communal violence and disruption of peace and security.

'It is requested to all to find a solution to the differences between them through dialogue,' the Commission said in a statement.

The Commission reminded that the preamble of the constitution mentions about safeguarding unity, social and cultural unity, tolerance and protection of harmony among diversities.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 27, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.