The political climate in Nepal is gradually becoming favorable to reviving the Hindu state, if not the monarchy. Now, except for a few fringe communist parties, almost no one opposes this idea. Following last year’s GenZ movement, more political parties and leaders are leaning toward the concept of a Hindu nation.
For a long time, a strong voice inside the Nepali Congress (NC) favored a Hindu state, though its leadership remained adherent to secularism. However, the political leaders who promulgated the 2015 constitution are no longer as committed to secularism as they once were.
Consider the recent statement from Sher Bahadur Deuba, in which he identified himself as a Hindu. Shortly after, his faction issued a statement declaring that they would work to establish Nepal’s identity as a Hindu nation. Except for Pushpa Kamal Dahal, no key leaders objected to his statement—not even NC President Gagan Kumar Thapa or CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli. These key developments clearly illustrate the gaining ground for a Hindu state.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah cannot go against the constitution, but he is in favor of a Hindu nation. Additionally, Shah prefers to move toward a directly elected prime minister through a constitutional amendment, and his entire team favors a Hindu Republic. Similarly, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) does not oppose the idea of a Hindu state. Because RSP lacks a rigid stance on the basic fundamentals of the constitution, the party could easily support the move. However, Rabi Lamichhane’s exact position on this issue remains unknown.
Since last year’s GenZ movement, the Nepali Army (NA) has emerged as a major political stakeholder. Inherently, the NA remains a traditional Hindu institution that has never fully embraced secularism in practice; thus, it is likely to support any broad Hindu movement.
Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chairman Oli has gradually inclined toward a Hindu nation—especially after last year’s GenZ protests—believing that the primary external backers of secular forces have lost their influence in power. Pushpa Kamal Dahal may personally oppose a Hindu state, but he is unlikely to resist if other major political parties reach a consensus.
At the societal level, numerous local organizations have been laying the groundwork for a Hindu state over the past few years. Various Hindu groups are attempting to launch a broader movement starting from the Tarai-Madhes region, and parties that lost the March 5 elections are likely to fuel such initiatives. The political parties that originally promulgated the 2015 constitution with a secular identity are currently out of power.
However, any attempt to drop federalism alongside secularism could face stiff opposition from Madhes-based political parties, groups from the eastern hills, and minority religious organizations.
Amending the constitution to establish a Hindu state requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament, which is achievable if RSP agrees. Nevertheless, such a shift could unleash a new round of domestic conflict, and Nepal’s international development partners—many of whom back secularism—might strongly oppose it. Consequently, attempting to turn Nepal into a Hindu Republic remains a risky move that could trigger fresh political instability.
Over the past few years, India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have actively encouraged Nepal’s political leaders to revive the Hindu state. During the constitutional drafting process in 2015, Nepal’s top political leaders had reportedly assured the Indian leadership that they would safeguard the country’s Hindu identity.
