DHAKA: Nepal’s Constituent Assembly has rejected calls to revert back to a Hindu state, deciding instead to keep its secular system brought in after the abolishment of the monarchy in 2008.

The decision made during voting on a draft of the country’s long-delayed new constitution on Monday sparked violent protests, reports Al Jazeera.

More than two-thirds of the assembly, which began voting on the constitution draft on Sunday, voted against making Nepal a Hindu state again. The proposal needed the support of two-thirds of the members to be adopted.

The proposal was pushed by the Rastirya Prajatantra Party Nepal, or National Democratic Party Nepal, which also wants the country to be a monarchy.

Many people in Nepal, which has a Hindu majority, believe the kings were a reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu

Following Monday’s vote, hundreds of Hindu protesters clashed outside the assembly hall with police, who fired water cannons and beat them with bamboo batons, the Associated Press news agency reported.

The protesters attacked passing vehicles, including a UN vehicle that appeared to be carrying an official to the airport. The UN official and the driver were not hurt.

No one appeared to be seriously injured in the tussles between the police and the protesters.

BDST: 2140 HRS, SEPT 14, 2015
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