Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has hinted at a possible shift away from the principle of secularism adopted in Nepal’s 2015 Constitution.

Speaking at a party gathering, the former prime minister and former president of the Nepali Congress said that he is a person who follows Hinduism. This is perhaps the first time since the promulgation of the 2015 Constitution that Deuba has made such an explicitly pro-Hindu statement.

His remarks could signal a wavering commitment to Nepal’s secular framework, although he did not explicitly call for the removal of secularism from the Constitution.

“I am a Hindu. I am not against anyone. There are people in Nepal who follow Islam, and there are Kirat people as well. I am not against anyone,” he said. “I should be allowed to say that I am a Hindu. I should be allowed to believe in Hinduism. There should be no confusion about this.”

The document passed by national convention says: “Nepal’s centuries-old Sanatan religious traditions are an integral part of the country’s national identity. Recognizing Nepal’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance and social harmony, as well as the constitutional freedom of every individual and religious community to practice their faith, we are committed to protecting and preserving the Hindu, Buddhist, Kirat and Prakrit traditions that have been practiced in Nepal since ancient times. With this responsibility in mind, we are committed to advancing Nepal with Sanatan Dharma as an important part of its national identity.”