Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, Government of Nepal has issued stay order to all the offices of District Development Committee (DDC) with some guidelines for I/NGOs mobilization by secretary level decision made on 17th June with following provisions.
- Projects to be pre-agreed with Local Development Officer (LDO). In his/her absent, ministry will appoint focal person for the same.
- While getting project approval from SWC, should discuss with concern district offices, stakeholders about the selection criteria of project location, beneficiary, and project activity and follow SWC format properly.
- Each district to have NGO desk and keep proper records of NGOs working in the district.
- While making memorandum of understanding and project agreements, disapprove any projects which are proselytizing in nature.
Due to the narrow understanding of freedom of religious issues, government could link up any kind of activity of faith based organizations as a practice of proselytization. A recent case of five NGOs workers arrested in Dolakha could be a real time example. After eight days of detention and torture, alleged were freed in bail in condition of court appearance set for 13th July.
Similarly, recently Ministry of Information and Communications introduced repressive directives for online media [See more at http://bit.ly/28XC7os]. This could directly target religious online sites. However, later on ministry has formed working groups for amendment after being highly criticized by Federation of Nepali Journalists.
In other hand, some of the Christian leaders are openly opposing Dr. K.B Rokaya’s self -proclaimed representation of Nepalese Christian community. Depends upon political ideology, Rokaya has been playing controversial roles regarding issues of religion for long time in Nepal. Recently Rokaya has been openly making statement on behalf of Christian community in favor of Nepal as a Hindu Kingdom over Nepalese media.
Discussion about this post