Controversial citizenship bill

 The Himalayan Times

19 August 2022

Controversial citizenship bill

Looking at the on-going political Ping-Pong game between the Head of the State and the coalition government of five-party alliance regarding the amended citizenship bill, it seems that an unwanted political situation may be brewing up in the country which can be fatal for both the democratic institutions. Why has the bill become so controversial? What are the clauses which are not palatable to the President and the other constitutional experts, legal experts, the main opposition lawmakers, fringe political parties and the general people? Who are going to mostly benefit or not benefit from the amended bill? Does the bill harm the nation in the long run if it gets the President’s approval as it is? EARN MONEY BY SIMPLY CLICKING ADS

After holding the bill for 14 days, the President sent it back to the parliament recommending for reconsideration “President returns citizenship bill to Parliament” (THT, August 14, Page 1). There was innumerable gratitude conveyed to the President in the social media for sending back the bill to the parliament for reviewing it. Did that mean the citizenship bill was amended not really to address the citizenship problem of the nation but rather simply to please the external powers? If that is so, is not the coalition government trying to hurt the sentiments of the sovereign people?NEPALI POLITICS

In the mean-time, constitutional experts seem to be divided on their opinions over the President’s act of sending the bill back to the Parliament “Did prez exceed by returning citizenship bill the Lower House” (THT, August 15, Page 1). Some of them opined that the President had the discretionary power under Article 113(3) when it comes to the process of making laws. Others argued that she did not have such discretionary power being simply a ceremonial head of state. Whatever her role was interpreted made no difference, at a time, when the ruling alliance decided to pass the bill without making any changes and move it to the House immediately “Ruling alliance to pass citizenship bill as it is” (THT, Aug.16, Page 1). It remains to be seen whether the President will authenticate the bill when it reaches her desk for the second time or just put it on the shelf without taking action on it.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj