DAOs asked to report on efforts to promote religious tolerance amid recent Tarai–Madhes incidents
KATHMANDU, JANUARY 7
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a 10-point circular to all 77 district administration offices (DAOs), directing them to submit reports on measures taken to promote religious tolerance and social harmony at the district level.
The directive follows recent incidents in parts of the Tarai and Madhes that disrupted religious and social harmony.
Issued by Under Secretary Rama Acharya Subedi, the circular instructs Chief District Officers (CDOs) to take immediate legal action against individuals involved in unlawful activities. It also calls for coordination meetings with key stakeholders-including political parties and social, cultural and religious leaders-to strengthen harmony and tolerance.
The ministry has directed DAOs to run awareness and promotional programmes in local languages through local media, and to ensure coordinated initiatives at provincial and local levels.
The circular further mandates the formation of a seven-member District Peace and Social Harmony Committee under the coordination of the CDO. DAOs have also been asked to prepare an annual calendar identifying potentially sensitive festivals or programmes, based on records of past incidents.