HELLO NEPAL

The Himalayan Times 16 September 2015 It seems now that the three major parties are determined to deliver the new constitution on 20 September 2015 as per the news story “CA likely to promulgate constitution on Sept 20” (THT, 15 September, Page 1). In-spite of the continued agitations in the Tarai, the last lap of the constitution drafting process has moved ahead in the CA. Time is running out fast for both the agitating and the major parties to sit down for talks to settle political differences. If both the sides do not sit for talks the situation in the Tarai-Madhes will remain tense. However, it is good in the sense that the three major political parties who had different political manifestos have come together to adopt the constitution by the second CA. The only concern of the people is whether the new constitution will bring lasting peace and open the door for prosperity in Nepal at a time when some of the districts in the Tarai have been shut down over the del...

The Kathmandu Post 13 September 2015 TIME TO CONSIDER The last phase of new constitution drafting process started from Tuesday at the Constituent Assembly (CA) after the Drafting Committee   Chairman Krishna P. Situala tabled it for clause-wise deliberations (“CA begins Final RD of charter process” September 9, Page 1 ). However, the political scenarios inside and outside of the CA are totally different which has made the general public curious on one hand and nervous and fearful on the other. It seemed as though the three major political forces do not want to budge from their stance to promulgate the new statute based on their arithmetic strength in the CA. It is very unfortunate that Madhesh and Tarai based political parties have left the CA due to discontents over the high-handedness of the top three political parties. Now, Madhesii Janadhikar Forum- Loktantrik (MJF-L), a signatory of the 16-point agreement, has also decided not to participate in the last pha...

The Kathmandu Post 4 September 2015 WHY NOT THARUHAT? The ongoing protests and continuous bandhas in Tarai districts have made daily lives of the common people really difficult there. Observing the ego of major political parties, it seems that these incidents will continue for a while.   Why are leaders trying to suppress the voice of the people who are expressing dissatisfactions at their unilateral decision to demarcate the nation into six, and then seven provinces? The top leaders need to take the discontents of the people seriously, and bring the agitated forces on board for talks. People have been killed each day in the Tarai districts by the security forces in the name of maintaining law and order (“Five protesters killed in police firing” 2 September, Page 1). It is very sad and unfortunate to see the people dying while the new constitution is being drafted. A constitution is a document of compromises. If major political parties can satisfy one group of...

The Himalayan Times 4 September 2015 Violations The continuous shutdown called by various political parties in most of the tarai districts opposing four major political parties’ decision while drafting the new constitution has hit hard the normal life of the people. The regular curfew imposed by the local administration has also crippled the mobility of people and the goods. However, it was encouraging to read the news report” No compromises on human rights: NHRC Chair Sharma” (THT, 1 Sept, Page 2). How prompt and effective role will NHRC play in these politically troubled districts is yet to be seen. So far, the role played by NHRC has remained not satisfactory in relation to properly monitoring and minimizing the human rights violation cases in the past. In fact, it is the responsibility of the concerned organizations to punish the violators upon the NHRC’s recommendation. The state should let the people assemble peacefully, raise their genuine c...

The Himalayan Times 2 August 2015 Avoid confrontations It was very sad and unfortunate to read the news story “SSP among eight killed in Tikapur clashes” (THT, 25 August, Page 1). This tragedy should not have happened at such a time when the nation is politically in a scary situation. Who is responsible for inviting this dreadful situation? The major political parties should have been more considerate and sympathetic towards the grievances of the general people and acted swiftly to avoid such unwanted incidents. They should have seriously respected the people’s plight not to haphazardly federate the nation. Are they waiting to see more people die in the name of federalism? Most of the districts in the far western and mid-western regions have remained tense and shut down for the last few days making the daily lives of people very difficult. It is surprising to see that the major political parties do not still seem to budge from their unpopular decision. Had they do...