Clashes in Nepal after push to be Hindu state rejected

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal’s Constituent Assembly rejected calls to revert the Himalayan nation back to a Hindu state during voting Monday on a draft of the country’s long-delayed new constitution, sparking violent protests.

Nepal was a Hindu nation for centuries when kings ruled but has been a secular state since the monarchy was abolished in 2006.

More than two-thirds of members of the assembly, which began voting on the constitution draft Sunday, voted against making Nepal a Hindu state again.

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