Nepal may turn into den for Islamic Fundamentalism

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) Bharat Janshakti Party leader Uma Bharti today said she foresaw the growth of Islamic fundamentalism in the garb of Maoism in Nepal in the coming days.

Talking to UNI from Tamil Nadu, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said the days were not far when Nepal would turn into a hub of Islamic fundamental activities harming not only that country but also India. ''I feel there will be large scale conversions in Nepal,'' she said.

Ms Bharti apprehended that Nepal becoming a 'secular' state from a Hindu one would lead to increasing communal activities in the country which was now in the hands of Maoist forces.

The Maoists, she said, had a mindset of being anti-Hindu and this was the sole reason for changing Nepal from a Hindu state to a secular one. She said it was a well-known fact that Hindus were the most secular people.

Justifying the fall of monarchy in Nepal as the erstwhile king was not paying attention to the welfare of the people who were tired of the dynastic rule, Ms Bharati said the present regime in Nepal would have to be very cautious and alert not to get into the trap of anti-Hindu forces.

Ms Bharti also said that the rise of Maoists and Islamic fundamentalism in Nepal was likely to pose a security threat to India, in the light of the statement by the extremists that they had plan to rule from ''Pashupati to Tirupati''.

UNI KAS MSJ DB1500