Decision on matters of religion depends on people: Deuba

KATHMANDU: Former Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the people should decide on the country’s religious identity.

Addressing the closing ceremony of a three-day national gathering called by the party’s dissident faction in Kathmandu on Sunday, Deuba said the people have the right to decide the country’s religious identity.

Saying that he personally has faith in Sanatan Hinduism, the former prime minister said the decision on the country’s religious identity should rest with the people.

Deuba made the remarks in response to a participant’s question about religion at the gathering.

“I am personally a Hindu. I underwent the bratabandha ceremony and got married according to Hindu traditions. I visit Pashupatinath Temple,” he said. “But the decision on matters of religion depends on the people.”

Deuba also reiterated his full faith in the judiciary. He said all courts in the country had delivered justice to him.

Deuba said he had been in favor of holding the party’s general convention with the consensus of all sides. “They forcibly held a special general convention,” he said. “But I won’t comment more on the issue as the matter is sub judice. The court’s verdict will be acceptable to me.”