Nepal's 'Communist' PM’s visit to Hindu temples triggers debate
Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal visits Pashupatinath Temple.
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu has triggered a debate in the country. Political parties have termed his visit a "politically motivated"and "out of character"move. For radical Communist leader Prachanda, this was his first visit to thetemple.
The prime minister was accompanied by his five cabinet ministers including Foreign Minister NP Saud. CPN UML senior leader Bishnu Rijal believes the PM is portraying a "contradicting character"as Maoists have always "criticised Hindu rituals".
“During the 10-year-long insurgency, Maoist rebels prohibited the public from performing funeral rituals in their own Hindu traditions. They dismantled many Hindu temples in rural Nepal and executed many Hindu priests," Rijal told WION.
“Leadership should be responsible for its past. Now the same people are performing rituals at Hindu temples in yellow colour outfits. So, his visits to temples are questionable. We do not know if he (PM) is only doing this for political benefit or is there a real transformation,” he added.
Analysts say the leader of the Maoist revolution leads a party that detested religion and discovering faith.
Former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai said on Facebook, "When the prime minister and the entire cabinet visit a religious place together, it takes a political dimension, and naturally, questions and concerns arise."
Foreign affairs experts believe there is a vote bank interest too behind this.
There is a growing realisation among major parties in Nepal that antagonising the Hindu population, which constitutes 81 per cent of the total population, is not in their interests.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Reels vs Results: Why political messaging alone won't win over India's young voters
)
Major relief for TN CM Vijay as wife Sangeetha withdraws infidelity and divorce petition
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
)
Secret weapon test blamed for US plane crash that killed four | Gravitas
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
France offers deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets, with 94 to be made in India
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Primetime trailer: Robert Pattinson channels Chris Hansen in A24's dark crime thriller
)
Mithun Chakraborty undergoes surgery in Kolkata hospital; Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visits
)
Planning an August holiday? Keep these tips in mind
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
US loses 23,000 jobs in July as labour market slowdown deepens
)
Thailand teen killed grandparents before shooting teachers at school – What we know about suspect
)
US-China Trade War Escalates | Beijing Targets American Entities and Drone Exports
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Pentagon releases new batch of 41 UFO files, including videos and images
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
US Senate passes sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill targeting energy revenue
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Double manifestation of glowing orb in Colorado spawns theories - Mind reading orb or balloon?
)
Fan letters, love, marriage, and divorce: Sangeetha and Vijay’s 27-year-long relationship timeline
)
Fact Check: Did Obama spend $376 million to build a basketball court at the White House?
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
This comes following his visit to India from May 31 to June 3.
Prachanda surprised the Nepalese by visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, where he performed an elaborate puja and offered 108 kilogrammes (kgs) of Rudraksha to the deity.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
