Let’s save religion

History is like a river. On the surface it flows suddenly and then disappears. But down below there is a deep stream which flows more slowly and is the most important level because the whole river flows with it. Be it Great Awakening and American Revolution of 1776 or Indian Revolt of 1857 or Iranian Revolution of 1979, the case of religion does matter. Those revolts and their repercussions still are evident and can be felt. Back home here we are at the most critical phase of redefining our history. Most nations of the world mirror that dominance of a particular religion need not necessarily be established as the state religion. Indonesia where more than 99 per cent Muslims reside is still a secular democratic nation. But the story here in our country is different. I am not alone when I say that there are widespread cases of apostasy that is equalled with lucrative offers “Call to ensure Hinduism on state religion” (THT, July 21, Page 3). Presence of their religious scriptures inside the sacks of relief materials after the Gorkha earthquake, demolition of Boudha monasteries in some parts, unnecessary provoking and propaganda with hypocritical messages and the like hint that there is something deeply fishy. Is religion really an ‘opium’ as claimed by Marx? When the end products of religious mafia are arduous only when secular word is inscribed in the Interim Constitution, the potential of the religious vandalism is huge. We will lose our Dharara.

Jay Bahadur Shah, Jajarkot

Right misused

Apropos of the news story “Woman held for murdering newborn” (THT, July 20, Page 6), Nepal legalized abortion in 2002 and the right has been guaranteed even in the Interim Constitution. This gives women the right to abort the fetus of up to 12 weeks under certain conditions to ensure women’s rights to reproduction.

However, the reports in the media related to feticide are increasing in Nepal. It is because of illicit or pre-marital relationship. However, the provision is not meant to promote the illicit relationship.

The most tragic story is that we are growing into the world where motherhood and fatherhood are suspected. The victims are those who are killed before they are born. When right to life is not ensured this is truly a decadence of humanity. What can we do to overcome the issue? We must be aware of the fact that the issue is not only a social problem but cultural and political also.

Legal provisions cannot serve the very purpose of the reproductive right unless it is honestly practiced. We are no more honest, responsible, and loyal in our relationship. We must be aware that no one

is going to live forever. It is high time we educated our children, adults and ourselves to master ethical and emotional intelligence to make our society livable.

Som Nath Ghimire,  Kawasoti