S i g n i s I n d i a

KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 7, 2010--Christians and those from other faiths have conducted special prayers and a peace rally to counter the nationwide Maoist-called general strike that is set to enter its second week.

Representatives of the Inter-Religious Council Nepal staged the peace rally May 7 at the centrally located Bir Hospital in Kathmandu. Organizers had appealed to Maoists not to prevent people from attending the rally.

Father Silas Bogati, acting parish priest of Assumption Church, who walked five kilometers to the rally told UCA News, “The Maoists attacked the rally and there is stone throwing going on right now.” In other parts of Kathmandu, Maoist supporters with sticks also attacked and injured people returning home from the hour-long rally.

Maoists, using loudspeakers, said they acted aggressively after those taking part in the peace rally chanted slogans denouncing Maoist leaders and youths.

Speaking at the rally, Buddhist monk Bhikku Tapassi Dhamma, president of Nepal Charumati Buddhist Mission, said, “All religions should do something to incite real nationalism among young people in Nepal as they are being misguided by politics.”

Leaders of various faiths — especially the Jain and Bahai representatives — expressed concern at Maoists forcibly occupying their places of worship to use as lodgings in Kathmandu.

Pastor Kali Bahadur Rokkaya, who is also a member of the National Human Rights Commission, called for timely action by religious leaders to help solve the current crisis.

Damodar Gautam, president of the Nepal wing of the Hindu Federation and Nazrul Hussein, president of the Nepal Muslim Society expressed concern at the ongoing skirmishes between youths supporting Hinduism and Maoist supporters in the southern towns of Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Biratnagar. Police fired tear gas and imposed a curfew May 6 to quell clashes as men, described as Hindu vigilantes, attacked Maoist protesters while they constructed podiums and eateries.

At the end of the rally, the interreligious leaders issued a press release saying “citizens are shivering in fear” over the prospect of a civil war.

The interreligious leaders have also tried to broker a peace deal between top political leaders — Maoist party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Congress party acting president Sushil Koirala and United Marxist Leninist leader Jhala Nath Khanal.

A day earlier, on May 6, Christians issued a joint statement on behalf of the National Council of Churches Nepal, National Churches Federation Nepal and the Catholic Church of Nepal stating their deep concern and urging political parties for a timely solution.

Life in Kathmandu and most of the country has come to a standstill with schools, banks and businesses closed, and street traffic almost non-existent since the start of the general strike on May 2.

Tension continues to simmer in Kathmandu where merchants are resisting the shutdown enforced by Maoist supporters. Nepal is losing 3 billion rupees (US $40 million) daily due to the strike.

However, daily Mass continues to be held in the morning in a “private” way at Assumption Church for the very few parishioners who walk there.

The Maoists have a list of demands, including the resignation of the prime minister. The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is demanding that the ruling coalition be replaced by a new Maoist-led national unity government. (UCAN)