As the interim constitution has stripped all cultural and political rights from the king, Prime Minister GP Koirala is all set to replace him as the new king, starting with the puja at the Krishna Mandir where he went as head of state.

The new constitution had clearly stated that the nation is now secular and this mean that the state has no obligation towards any religion, temple or our old Hindu traditions. But now there is a question as to why Koirala had to pose as the king by taking his place during Bhoto Jatra.

If the state's presence was necessary, then the premier should have sent his minister for culture or local administrator.

Why was it important for him to go there as a protector of the Hindu religion?

This only proves that the state is taking the issue of secularism lightly. It is disappointing to see Koirala representing himself as the Hindu PM. The People's Movement happened not because it hated Gyanendra as a person or chose Girija for the same reason but because it wanted to end feudal culture and establish an egalitarian society.

Already Koirala has started taking Gyanendra's place in the way he is behaving with a similar authoritarian fashion. There is nothing wrong with a head of state visiting a temple, mosque, chaitya or monastery, but it would be anti-democratic for someone to simulate all the king's doings.