NESOCA Nepal conducted a 2-day (August 5 and 6) on-the-spot inquiry on the reported banning of Newa bhajans in Pashupati area. We met with and collected information on the issue from local residents, devotees, security personnel and the Pashupati Area Development Trust officials inclusive.

Pashupati Area Development Trust had asked regular bhajan groups to chant bhajans outside of the Pashupati courtyard on Mondays during the month of Srawan as there would be a large number of devotees flocking in to the holy shrine on the these days and during that month.

NESOCA is pleased to inform that due to the protests and pressure of all concerned, and due to the protest lodged with the Trust by the bhajan groups themselves, the Trust has allotted a specific area inside the shrine’s courtyard and allowed the bhajan groups to chant bhajans in any language.

The Trust has also issued a statement in this regard and is published in the Gorkhapatra daily of August 06, 2005. (web link not available)