KATHMANDU: At a time when the nation is bracing up for a secular state through the rewriting of its constitution, National Hindu Conservation Organisation Nepal (NHCO-N) is all set to launching ‘Satyagraha Yatra’ demanding for the declaration of the country into a Hindu state.

It may be recalled here that in May 2006, a parliament declaration ended the country’s standing as the world’s only Hindu state. “We are launching Satyagraha - from December 27 to January 13- as a symbolic protest in order to preserve the traditional cultural heritage and identity of the country,” said Prem Nidhi Kandel, coordinator of the programme. He was addressing a press conference, organised in the capital today.

‘We’re demanding for declaring Nepal a Hindu nation,” he added.

Another purpose of the programme is to stop state intervention in religious affair, Kandel said, adding that they were also seeking reservation for religious minorities.

“The government should stop land acquisition in the name of Guthi,” said the coordinator.

NHCO-N has also demanded punishment against those involved in religious conversion.

Kandel further said that the Yatra was for ending every type of caste and social discrimination prevalent in the society.