Himalayan News Service

Baitadi, May 5:

When Hari Krishna Bhatta of Mauneli village development committee organised a lavish wedding ceremony for his son, he pointedly omitted to invite a Baje (Brahman priest) for conducting the rituals. Dhani Ram Bhatta of Deulik village development committee-8 in Bartoli, holding his daughter’s wedding, did the same. The reason being, the Maoists’ bar on priests officiating during weddings.

Though Brahman priests are integral to the Vedic traditions of the Hindu kingdom of Nepal, the Maoists have slapped a ban on Brahmanism in rural areas of Baitadi district.

“What to do? Tradition exists since the Sanatan Dharma era but the Maoists have banned it. Who dares go against their diktat?” said Hari Krishna.

Brahmans are also inseparable from rituals like weddings, Bratbandha, naming ceremony and death rites.

“The constitution of Nepal envisages the country as a secular state, and it guarantees the right to religion to everyone,” a teacher said, requesting anonymity.

The Maoists have ordered the locals to keep wedding ceremonies short and simple. They have also told the locals not to do a full Monty while observing death rites of parents.

Aghast locals who believe that without offerings to Brahmans the parents’ souls will not attain salvation are visiting holy shrines in India for the respite of their parents’ souls.

“Whenever a baby is born in the rural areas, the Maoists tell us to name it after the revolution, but we visit the Baje’s house for proper naming ceremonies,” a local resident said.